Race, Ideology, and the Decline of Caribbean Marxism

“Smart, insightful, subtle, provocative, counterintuitive, and often contrarian, vigorously argued, learned, comprehensive, historically rooted, in short, a great read. Maingot invites readers to think on their own; Race, Ideology, and the Decline of Caribbean Marxism is an intellectual feast.”—Jorge I. Dominguez, Harvard University

“A stunning book, a must-read for anyone interested in the development and current status of Caribbean societies, and a comprehensive account of the roads they have taken in their struggles to create societies of freedom, justice, equality, and well-being.”—Wendell Bell, Yale University


Most studies view the Caribbean as disparate countries prone to revolution and ripe for rebellion. In a refreshing departure from the norm, Anthony Maingot, using historical and contemporary examples, explains that the region is actually populated by resilient, adaptable societies with a political culture comprising both modern and conservative elements.

Despite the Caribbean’s diverse languages, nationalities, racial differences, ideologies, microhistories, and political systems, it is defined by a similarity of challenges faced in the postcolonial-era. Maingot, one of the preeminent scholars in Caribbean studies, examines the contemporary intellectual, social, economic, and cultural issues affecting Caribbean nations and identifies a common conservative thread in the many revolutions and transitions. He concludes that this prevailing tendency deserves better acknowledgment, by which the Caribbean can chart possible productive paths that have not yet been considered, especially with regard to combating increased corruption.

By focusing on changes since the 1990s, including ongoing changes in Cuba, this ambitious volume helps define the future course of investigations in this complex region.