Factors that Hinder Regional Integration

Factors that Hinder Regional Integration

Prepared by Mrs Horsham

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Describe the factors that hinder regional integration

Open Ended

In your own words, what does the word "hinder" mean?

We can look at these factors in TWO Categories

1. Internal Governance Issues

2. Other External Factors

Internal Factors

• The way Caricom is governed

• Hesitancy of some countries to support regional institutions

• Conflict between national and regional interests

INTERNAL GOVERNANCE ISSUES

1. The way Caricom is governed- the weakness in the way in which Caricom is governed and the Conference's reluctance to improve it. All states must agree on decisions before they can be accepted. This allows some member states to block important decisions for the strengthening of the community.

The hesitancy of some countries to support regional institutions

• The unwillingness to support certain Caricom institutions weakens integration

• For example the CCJ ( Caribbean Court of Justice) - the final court of Appeal which was established in 2005.

• Only 3 of the 15 member states have adopted the CCJ as their final court of Appeal

Conflict between national and regional interests

• Some Caricom countries have been forced by international and domestic economic crises to place their national interests before Caricom's

• this has created conflict between what some countries do and what membership in Caricom requires them to do.

• Free movement is essential for integration yet some governments have not fully supported it.

Poll

Would you support regional immigrants coming to work in your country?

• YES

• NO

OTHER FACTORS

1. The Region's Dependence on extra-regional markets - Caribbean countries produce similar products and this has also hindered the development of trading relationships among them.

2. Lack of Unity- Caribbean islands are separated by the Caribbean Sea. The absence of a regional airline and intra-regional ferries has helped to hinder regional integration by limiting the movement of goods and services. The separation of the Caribbean countries has in some cases made travel difficult, expensive, and time-consuming.

Other Factors

3. Lack of a single currency- the many currencies in use throughout the region present challenges for Caribbean travellers and traders

4. Limited opportunities for the masses to participate- skilled and self-employed individuals are free to live and work in any Caricom state. There is a lack of knowledge among Caribbean nationals about the integration movement and this has affected their willingness to participate.

Multiple Choice

What currency is widely used in Caribbean countries?

• US dollars

• EC. dollars

• TT dollars

• Bajan Ddollars

OTHER FACTORS

5. Unequal distribution of resources- countries with more resources are seen as benefitting at the expense of those with limited resources. They can sell more products than those who have less. Trinidad and Tobago is known to be a main exporter of oil and gas.

6. Differences in stages of growth and development- the more developed countries ( MDC) have more factories and a highly trained labour force and are in a better position to increase their share of exports. The lesser developed countries (LDC) are sometimes very reluctant or unwilling to participate in the integration movement if they see no benefits for their country.

Conclusion

• The way in which Caricom is governed is a major hindrance to regional integration

• in some countries, both governments and citizens are showing opposition to regional integration

• the geography of the region presents challenges for integration

  
  

• there is lack of awareness among Caribbean citizens on the regional intergration process

• the benefits of integration have not been shared fairly.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following factors HINDERS co-operation among CARICOM states?

• Common economic policies

• The challenge of globalization

• Difference in cultural tradtions

• Competition for foreign investments

Multiple Choice

Which of the following may hinder integration in CARICOM?

• removal od duties and tariffs

• restrictions on intra-regional trade

• the establishment of a common currency

• more funding from the Caribbean Development Bank

Open Ended

TO RECAP-

List Three factors that hinder Regional Integration?

THANK YOU

THE LESSON IS OVER