Jamaica and........then the Caribbean

Since the days of the Federation, Jamaica had sought to exclude itself from the wider Caribbean. Coming out of Jamaica's need to exclude itself was one of the most popular quotes in Caribbean history: "One from ten leaves zero" by Eric Williams.

The Federation collapsed in 1962 and it is notable that at that time Jamaica was the economic power house of the Caribbean. From Jamaica's desire to protect its economic status came its greatest fear - that of becoming the economic burden bearer for the rest of the Caribbean. Now fifty years later, Jamaica has ironically become the second poorest country in the Caribbean, preceded only by Haiti.(In retrospect, I would imagine former members of the Federation are glad Jamaica left.)

And despite what was gained or not gained from Jamaica's exclusion, Jamaica continues to exclude itself.

There is Jamaica and.....then there is the Caribbean.