CARICOM and the Politics of Migration: Securitisation and the Free Movement of Community Nationals in Barbados George Christopher Brathwaite B.Sc (Hons.), M.Phil A Thesis Presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Geography, Politics and Sociology Newcastle University Department of Politics June, 2014 i ABSTRACT This thesis seeks to understand how the ‘free movement of CARICOM nationals’ (FMCN) and intra-regional migration have become securitised in Barbados. The key aim of the thesis is to understand the social facts constitutive of the FMCN in Barbados. The thesis presents data on key securitising actors and audiences in Barbados. It analyses how Caribbean Community (CARICOM) migrants are understood to be posing threats and dangers to the Barbadian society and/or state. The processes, interactions, and discursive practices that lead to these conditions of security/insecurity are then examined in more detail. The thesis, on the basis of an instrumental case study of Barbados, advances social constructivism and the Copenhagen School’s concept of securitisation as the most appropriate theoretical framework for gaining an understanding on the FMCN and intra-CARICOM migration dynamics. Primary data are drawn from a selection of methods incorporating elite interviews with key state/institutional leaders and the media. This method is complimented with documentary research in the format of parliamentary debates; government speeches and reports; books and journals; communiqués; and newspaper articles. The thesis engages with critical discourse analysis in order to gain analytical purchase on agency within domestic and international structures. It argues that market forces, material conditions, cultural constraints, and technological forces are crucial indicators for any reading of the securitisations taking place in the transnational and national spaces of CARICOM. The key findings and analyses show significant challenges for Barbados regarding perceptions of national versus regional identities. With the functioning of the FMCN, the social construction of fear and mistrust leads to grave misunderstandings among multiple actors. The thesis’ original contribution stems from analysing the securitisation dynamics underpinning FMCN and intra- CARICOM migration in Barbados and CARICOM. Keywords: securitisation; migration; CARICOM; social constructivism. ii Dedication It is with the most appreciative humility, heart-felt endearment, and sense of duty, honour, and loyalty that I dedicate this Doctor of Philosophy thesis – ‘CARICOM and the Politics of Migration: Securitisation and the Free Movement of Community Nationals in Barbados’ – to my very dear daughter Tammara Brathwaite; my cherished son Ryan O’Neill; and to the enduring memories of my caring and beloved father, George W. Bradshaw. Tammara is destined to chart and follow her paths. Ryan is early in his days. I hope that this work and sacrifice inspires them to dream their dreams and live their lives while always remaining steadfast in striving towards the intended objectives. My advice to Tammara and Ryan is: tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them). I still remember those last words said to me by my father: “you have hid your lamp under a bushel.” Today, I have removed the bushel. My hope is that others may be guided by the light rather than cower in the darkness of self- made fear: omnia mutantur nos et mutamur in illis (all things change, and we change with them)! George Christopher Brathwaite June, 02, 2014 iii Acknowledgements I first give thanks to my creator, Almighty God, for without the mercies, forgiveness, and perpetual guidance of that omnipotent spirit, I may have been lost in a sea of moral turpitude. There are many persons who have walked this journey with me. Some of these kindred persons were able to see me strive towards the journey’s end. Yet, there are others who were taken away to a higher calling before I could deliver on my promise and potential. I know that with this thesis, the journey continues and there are other paths to explore. Hence, my sincerest gratitude and thanks go to the most significant person in terms of directing my actual destination. Dr. Kyle Grayson has been with me each step, slide, and sometimes fall. Kyle has guided, supervised, mentored, coached, and pacified me through the ups and downs of the PhD process. I am not sure that I would have looked forward to telling persons about the miraculous ways in which angels perform their duties without need for praise or reciprocity, but I am sure to cherish every moment of recounting Kyle’s consoling and encouraging inputs. To the remainder of my supervisory team, Dr. Jocelyn Mawdsley who is ever meticulous, and Dr. Matt Davies, whose reserved but concise comments are always profound, I thank you both for your guidance and support. I know that I would have tested your patience on several occasions, but you managed to hang in there with me; it is greatly appreciated, and many times over. To each of those persons who agreed to participate in the interview stage of my thesis, and in a real sense are the co-producers, I thank them very much. These persons are: deceased Prime Minister of Barbados, David J.H. Thompson; deceased Honorary Consul for Guyana in Barbados, Norman Faria; Mia Amor Mottley; Dr. Wendy Grenade; Professor Rose-Marie Antoine; Roxanne Gibbs; Peter Wickham; Denis Johnson; Ambassador and now former Secretary-General of CARICOM, Edwin Carrington; Ivor Carryl; and the one other individual for which a pseudonym Mark Russell is used. Indeed, I wish to thank the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana; and the Ministry of Education in Barbados, especially Minister Ronald Jones; Diane Goodridge; and Suzanne Griffith. I admire my colleagues, and I cherish the friendships that emerged among staff, students, and administrators at Newcastle. It becomes difficult to mention all of them here that would have made a positive difference. Nonetheless, I refer to a few significant names and some key departments that continuously assisted me iv along the way. First of all, thanks to Amanda Baxter, Jenny Lamb, Rob Walton, and all of the staff in the Geography, Politics and Sociology office. I cannot but thank Dr. Robin ‘Magnificent’ Humphrey. Robin is cordial and has an enthusiasm which connected with me in a way never to be forgotten. In that vein, I thank Professor Neil Marshall; Dr. Simon Tate (Geography); Laura, Sarah, Caroline, and the rest of the ‘Faculty’ staff, especially those working with the HASS research experience. In the Politics department, the names are many but sincerest thanks to Dr. Derek Bell; Dr. Martin Coward; Professor William Maloney; Professor Hartmut Behr; Professor Peter Jones; Dr. Simon Philpott; Dr. Nick Randall; Dr. Karen Scott; and really, the entire academic staff who made life very comfortable for me within the department. My appreciation stretches across from the academic staff to my fellow colleagues; thanks to all of you that I am privileged to have met and interacted with some of you beginning in 2008; the experience will be cherished. Of those still remaining, I wish you success in completing that ‘doctoral’ journey. I am eternally grateful to the kindness of Russell Foster who is a very good friend, and to whom I owe much. My office colleagues deserve a warm and special mention: Gerard, Steven, Nick, and Megan, thanks. The personal side will always be touching because to a lesser or greater degree, some persons have come to know me as I battled with the bitter whilst tasting the sweet. I express gratitude to Dr. Alana Griffith at Kent University; Errol Crawford and his children, especially Krystle who took the time to read some of my draft work. Gline Nurse and his children always kept in touch, and we became great friends. Andy, Trevor, and the boys ensured that spirited socialisation was to be had, ever so often in London; this kept me walking and thinking. I thank my uncle Christopher and his family for lending assistance in time of need. In that regard, very sincere thanks to a cousin I met for the first time in 2011, Oscar ‘Jon Jon’ Brathwaite, whose help, encouragement, and generosity were timely and far surpassed my expectations. I received intermittent but timely words of encouragement from Dr. Tennyson Joseph, Dr. Don Marshall; and Dr. Wendy Grenade at the UWI in Barbados; I am truly thankful to them. Indeed, the UWI was a turning point in my life and it is pertinent for me to add a special mention of thanks for: Althea Greene-Forde; Cynthia Layne; Dawn-Marie Lavine; Teresacita Cox; Kathy Long; Professor Sir Hilary Beckles; Cynthia Barrow-Giles; Peter Wickham; and Dr. George Belle. In addition, I thank my former fellow-students Dave Marshall, Andrea Belgrave, Lisa v Somra, and Janelle Greenidge for their roles as friends and ‘personal’ cheerleaders. The Barbados Labour Party has been kind to me in many respects; therefore I am happy to say thanks to all of the members of the political party. For special mention, I would like to begin by singling out for special thanks Anthony Wood who was Minister of Education at the time a scholarship was granted to me. Also kind thanks for Mia Mottley; Owen Arthur; David ‘Joey’ Harper; Noel Lynch; Sir Henry Forde; Edmund Hinkson; Dame Billie Miller; John Howard and his family; Trevor Prescod; Henderson Bovell; Rev. Joseph Atherley; and my best friend in the party, Rawle Eastmond; Rawle is one of the most benevolent and genuine persons I have ever met in my lifetime. Still even nearer to home, I have a long list of family and friends; if I am guilty of omitting anyone, please forgive me. Thanks to Howard Rogers; Joyce Goddard and family especially Paul Goddard; Douglas ‘Bernard’ Brathwaite; Frederick and Judy ‘Angela’ Forde; Ricardo Clarke; Deryck Barrow; Alfred Gibson; Margaret Inniss; Gordon Medford; Ellis Brathwaite; Harold ‘Ricky’ Morris and the guys of the ‘Round-Table’; Esther Layne; Chris and Paula Jarvis; Fitz Hall; Ian Sealy; Martinson Gall; Claude Aimey; Cheryl Crawford; my brother John Bradshaw; my niece Jo-Anna Bradshaw; Claude Aimey; and Pancilla Smith.