Colonial Continuities in the French Caribbean: An Economic Perspective

Strongly supported by civil society, the social movement that took place in Guadeloupe and Martinique in 2009 had a common theme: the struggle against the high cost of living. During forty-four days, protesters denounced exorbitant prices of necessities and demanded higher salaries. Uprising in the French Caribbean undoubtedly involves social and historical ramifications, but its economic dimension has long been overlooked. This essay investigates the structural deficiencies of the French Caribbean economies. I show that Guadeloupe and Martinique suffer from the negative influence of two constraints. First, I demonstrate that the French government does not preserve freedom of commerce and business, and fails to protect Caribbean consumers. Moreover, public authorities maintain monopolies in key sectors and do not enforce antitrust legislation. A second constraint can be found in a small group of elite families that exercise disproportionate control over the local economy. These two constraints raise the issue of the inclusion of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the French Republic. After reviewing some considerations on the historical and economic development of the French Caribbean, I examine the low impact of government expenditures. I then point out the protectionist nature of their economic model, analyze the causes and consequences of high prices, and finally I stress the impact of restrictions on competition.