(Ebook) The Caribbean Community 1st Edition by Brenda Lange, Peggy Kahn ISBN 9780791095416 079109541X

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), initially called the Caribbean Community and Common Market, was established as a result of a 15-year effort by the West Indies Federation (WIF) to fulfill the hope of regional integration. Although WIF dissolved after only four years (1958-1962), it is regarded as the real beginning of CARICOM. Today CARICOM has 15 full members, 5 associate members, and 7 observers. The organization aims to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members, help the less-developed countries within its jurisdiction, handle regional disputes, and implement an operational single market and economy. CARICOM hopes to achieve a single currency for all its members and strengthen its trading links with global partners in order to keep up with globalization challenges. Still, regional leaders have faced harsh criticism for its failure to pass the Single CARICOM Act, which would ensure that decisions agreed on regionally are automatically enforced nationally.