City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 2-2015 Impact of Ethnic Conflict on Development: A Case Study of Guyana Visnoonand Bisram Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/524 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] Impact of Ethnic Conflict on Development: A Case Study of Guyana By Visnoonand Bisram A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Sociology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, The City University of New York 2015 i ©2015 Visnoonand Bisram All Rights Reserved ii This manuscript has been read and accepted for the Graduate Faculty in Sociology in satisfaction of the Dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Professor Stanley Aronowitz___________ January 30, 2015____ ____________________________________ Date Chair of Examining Committee Professor Philip Kasinitz______________ January 30, 2015____ ___________________________________ Date Executive Officer Professor William Kornblum___________________ Professor Mauricio Font_______________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ Supervisory Committee THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK iii Abstract Impact of Ethnic Conflict on Development: A Case Study of Guyana By Visnoonand Bisram Adviser: Professor Stanley Aronowitz The study presents an alternative framework, from the dominant political and economic theories, for explaining the feeble and relatively slow pace of development of an ethnically divided, resource rich country. The study, using primary and secondary sources, empirical evidence, and interpretive analysis, examines the emergence and role of racial conflict and its stifling impact on national development in Guyana, which represents an extreme case of a society plagued by racial division. Organizations including labor unions and political parties, as well as occupations and aspects of the economy, among other social constructs, are all racially divided. Utilizing an inter-disciplinary (sociology, political science, economics, history, anthropology, culture) scope of investigation, the study explains: how Guyana became a multi-ethnic state, how ethnic rivalry emerged during colonialism; how ethnicity has shaped its development; how racial conflict was advanced by colonial forces to serve their interests; how it became institutionalized; how it was used by the US and iv UK to delay the independence of the colony; and how the race conflict affected the political and economic development of the post-colonial state including its debilitating impact on social change. The study determines that the failure of development in Guyana is tied to a range of interrelated social issues and problems associated with ethnic identity and rivalry. The study discusses various theories on economic development and on ethnic conflicts in order to explain Guyana’s ongoing racial conflict and illustrates some effects of conflict on Guyana’s development. It examines, discusses, interprets, and analyzes various variables (power and economic control) impacting on ethnic relations and politics in Guyana and their effects on the country’s overall development. It also looks into the causes for heightened ethnic competition and conflict attributing blame to both major (largely ethnic) political parties, PPP and PNC, and their respective founding leaders, Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mr. Forbes Burnham as well as their respective supporters, Indians and Africans. The study also proposes solutions as models of governance to manage ethnic conflict to facilitate development. The study has implications for similar societies serving as a guide to help resolve ethnic conflicts that could affect national development. v -Acknowledgements- I have a huge debt of gratitude to many individuals who have facilitated my research on this subject and who offered constructive ideas and critiques. In particular, I wish to thank the PhD doctoral committee (Profs. Stanley Aronowitz, Mauricio Font, William Kornblum of the Sociology Department) that reviewed my research proposal as well as the dissertation and the changes they suggested to better the argument made herein. I had the honor to be advised and supervised by some of the most recognized and distinguished scholars in the Sociology department. They challenged my approach to the study as well as certain arguments and suggested authors and other important sources in making my case. They provided invaluable information and insights generously guiding me on issues related to the topic. Their comments, suggestions, recommendation and encouragement helped me to complete the research and the writing as well as enriched my understanding of the subject matter. I also wish to thank my former teaching colleague Pete who reviewed and edited the dissertation manuscript and who offered critical ideas to improve on it. He provided invaluable assistance in my writing and in suggesting changes. This dissertation would not have been completed without input and encouragement of several individuals. The writing of the dissertation, after acceptance of the proposal, was shelved aside and remained stuck for many years as I earned a living teaching and volunteering on community activities and writing for community publications. This left little time for research and writing – the quality of time needed to focus on writing a dissertation. Several individuals, including my parents, siblings, friends, and my wife prodded me to complete it. Without out their push, I may not have returned to completing vi the dissertation and the doctoral degree. I particularly wish to thank my mother who wanted to see me complete this doctorate and who kept asking “when would you finish it”. My wife also posed similar queries nudging and goading me to finish the project. Their encouragement is most appreciated. I found precious time to research and write in between work and volunteerism. After years of neglecting my studies, I could see the end of the tunnel. It was a painstakingly slow process. What a relief it is that it is all over! I would be remiss if I don’t express direct thanks to my wife for putting up with me during this long period of writing when I used to be up in the wee hours of the morning and going to bed late at night. I spent an inordinate amount of time reading, traveling, and researching that I hardly spent time attending to home care duties and responsibilities. So I wish to sincerely thank my wife for taking care of the home chores while I worked on the dissertation as well as volunteering time for community work. I wish to dedicate this dissertation and my achievement of the doctoral degree to my wife, mother, other siblings and to all those who provided support and encouragement during my course work as well as during the research and writing of this project. vii -Table of Contents- Content …………………………………………………………………… Page Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………. i Title Page …………………………………………………………………….. ii Copyright………………………………………………………………………. iii Abstract ………………………………………………………………............. iv Acknowledgements …………………………………………………………… vi Table of Contents …………………………………………………………….. viii Time Line …………………………………………………………………… x List of Abbreviations & Political Leaders ……………………………………. xiii List of Tables …………………………………………………………………. xiv Chapter 1 Introduction: Background to Ethnic Conflict ……………............... 1 A. Ethnic Conflict in Guyana ……………………………………………… 8 B. Economic Decline of Guyana …………………………………………… 14 Chapter 2: Sec A Purpose of Study ………………………….……………………… 35 Sec B Rationale, Importance & Relevance of Study …………………… 38 Sec C Why a need to Investigate Ethnicity and Economic Decline ……… 40 Sec D Developing a Theoretical Framework ……………………..……… 45 Sec E Why a Sociological or Ethnic Model to explain underdevelopment . 50 Sec F Argument of Study ………………………………………………… 55 Sec G Hypotheses ……………………………………………………….. 58 Sec H General Queries Relating to Hypotheses …………………………. 59 Sec I Methodology of Study …………………………………………….. 61 Sec J Shortcomings of the Study ………………………………………… 63 Sec K New Findings ………………………………………………………. 65 Chapter 3 History of Ethnicity in Guyana …………………………………….. 68 Sec A Need for Cheap labor …………………………………………….. 68 Sec B Slavery & Indenturedship …………………………………..……... 69 Sec C Emergence of Ethnic Conflict ……………………………………… 75 Sec D Causes of Ethnic Conflict ………………………………………….. 81 Sec E Role of Minority groups in Ethnic Conflict ………………………... 90 Chapter 4 Review of Literature ……………………………………………………. 96 Sec A General Overview of Ethnicity ……………………………………… 96 Sec B Ethnicity & Guyana ………………………………………………… 99 Sec C Economy and Guyana ……………………………………………… 108 Sec D Ethnicity & Development …………………………………………... 122 Sec E Impact of Ethnic Conflict on Guyana’s Development …………….. 130 Chapter 5: Ethnic Domination and Decline in Standard of Living ……………… 140 Table of Contents Continues viii Content …………………………………………………………………......... Page Chapter 6: Political Development ……………………………………………… 186 Sec A Rise of Parties & Party (Racial) Rivalry ……………………………. 187 Sec B Universal Suffrage and PPP Victory …………………………. ……. 192 Sec C International conspiracy & Toppling the PPP Government ………… 194 Sec D Collapse