Ethnicity, elections and democracy in Trinidad and Tobago: Analysing the 1995 and 1996 elections

Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics

Volumn 36, Issue 3, 1998, Pages 30-53

  Premdas, Ralph R ^a   Ragoonath, Bishnu ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES   (Trinidad and Tobago)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

DEMOCRACY; ELECTORAL SYSTEM; ETHNICITY; NATIONAL POLITICS; PARTY POLITICS;

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO;

EID: 0032443924     PISSN: 03063631     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/14662049808447774     Document Type: Article

References (41)

1. See Ralph R. Premdas, 'Race, Politics and Succession in Trinidad and Guyana', in A. Payne and P. Sutton (eds.), Modern Caribbean Politics (Baltimore, 1993), 98-124.
2. For the division of spheres of influence as a mechanism of ethnic conflict regulation, see R.S. Milne, 'The Pacific Way - Consociational Politics in Fiji', Pacific Affairs (Summer 1975); also, Ralph Premdas, 'Balance and Ethnic Conflict in Fiji', in John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993), 251-74.
3. For the division of spheres of influence as a mechanism of ethnic conflict regulation, see R.S. Milne, 'The Pacific Way - Consociational Politics in Fiji', Pacific Affairs (Summer 1975); also, Ralph Premdas, 'Balance and Ethnic Conflict in Fiji', in John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993), 251-74.
4. See R.S. Milne, Politics in Ethnically Bipolar States:Guyana, Fiji and Malaysia (Vancouver, 1982); also, Ray K. Vasil, Politics in Bi-Racial Societies (New Delhi, 1984).
5. See R.S. Milne, Politics in Ethnically Bipolar States:Guyana, Fiji and Malaysia (Vancouver, 1982); also, Ray K. Vasil, Politics in Bi-Racial Societies (New Delhi, 1984).
6. For a discussion of the role of elections in multi-ethnic states, see R.S. Milne, 'Elections in Developing Countries', Parliamentary Affairs, XVIII, 1 (1964-65); Ralph Premdas, 'Elections and Campaigns in a Racially Bifurcated State', Journal of Inter-American Studies and World Affairs (August 1972), 5-35; Ralph Premdas, Ethnicity and Development: The Case of Guyana (London, 1995), 57-78; Stephanie Lawson, The Failure of Democratic Politics in Fiji (London, 1991), 191-4.
7. For a discussion of the role of elections in multi-ethnic states, see R.S. Milne, 'Elections in Developing Countries', Parliamentary Affairs, XVIII, 1 (1964-65); Ralph Premdas, 'Elections and Campaigns in a Racially Bifurcated State', Journal of Inter-American Studies and World Affairs (August 1972), 5-35; Ralph Premdas, Ethnicity and Development: The Case of Guyana (London, 1995), 57-78; Stephanie Lawson, The Failure of Democratic Politics in Fiji (London, 1991), 191-4.
8. For a discussion of the role of elections in multi-ethnic states, see R.S. Milne, 'Elections in Developing Countries', Parliamentary Affairs, XVIII, 1 (1964-65); Ralph Premdas, 'Elections and Campaigns in a Racially Bifurcated State', Journal of Inter-American Studies and World Affairs (August 1972), 5-35; Ralph Premdas, Ethnicity and Development: The Case of Guyana (London, 1995), 57-78; Stephanie Lawson, The Failure of Democratic Politics in Fiji (London, 1991), 191-4.
9. For a discussion of the role of elections in multi-ethnic states, see R.S. Milne, 'Elections in Developing Countries', Parliamentary Affairs, XVIII, 1 (1964-65); Ralph Premdas, 'Elections and Campaigns in a Racially Bifurcated State', Journal of Inter-American Studies and World Affairs (August 1972), 5-35; Ralph Premdas, Ethnicity and Development: The Case of Guyana (London, 1995), 57-78; Stephanie Lawson, The Failure of Democratic Politics in Fiji (London, 1991), 191-4.
10. See Milne, Politics in Ethnically Bipolar States, 7-10; also, Ralph Premdas, Ethnic Politics and Development in Fiji (London, 1995), 152-3
11. See Milne, Politics in Ethnically Bipolar States, 7-10; also, Ralph Premdas, Ethnic Politics and Development in Fiji (London, 1995), 152-3
12. See Paul Sutton, 'Trinidad and Tobago: Oil, Capitalism and the "Presidential Power" of Eric Williams', in A. Payne and P. Sutton (eds.), Dependency and Challenge: The Political Economy of the Commonwealth Caribbean (Manchester, 1984), 43-6.
13. See Trinidad and Tobago, Central Statistical Office, Annual Statistical Digest.
14. See Bishnu Ragoonath, 'Race and Ethnic Relations and the Competition for Political Power in Trinidad', Journal of Ethno-Development, 3, 3 (1994), 53-65.
15. See Ralph Premdas, 'Ethnic Conflict in Trinidad and Tobago: Domination and Reconciliation' in K. Yelvington (ed.), Trinidad Ethnicity (Tennessee, 1993), 136-60.
16. S. Chouti, 'Taxes To Come Down', Sunday Express, 22 Oct. 1995, 3.
17. 'Panday Holds Unusual Press Conference', Toronto Express, 31 Oct. 1995, 6.
18. 'Court System Still Inadequate, CJ', Guardian, 11 Oct. 195, 10.
19. Guardian, 29 Oct. 1995, 13
20. 'TT Poll Puts Ruling Party Ahead', Toronto Express, 3 Oct. 1995, 6.
21. W. Gibbins, 'The Dookeran Factor', Sunday Express, 12 Nov. 1995, 4.
22. S. Shepherd, 'Senator Appeals for Baptist Unity', Sunday Express, 7 Dec. 1995, 50.
23. See '"Enough is Enough" Manning: June 24 polls referendum on Govt', Sunday Guardian, 2 June 1996, 1.
24. See 'Panday asks voters for the sign', Sunday Express, 23 June 1996, 3.
25. See Peter Richards, 'ANR: Win will help NAR to Reorganize', Trinidad Guardian, 10 June 1996, 1.
26. The issue of debt forgiveness to Guyana was viewed in a racial context, whereupon it was an 'Indo-Trinidadian' government helping an 'Indo-Guyanese government'. See Suzanne Mills, 'PNM "jury" delivers guilty verdict on coalition Govt', Newsday (Trinidad), 16 June 1996, 2.
27. Sandra Chouthi, 'Manning sees Govt Caroni bias', Sunday Express (Trinidad), 2 June 1996, 1.
28. Stephen Boodram, 'Manning: Racist acts under national unity', Trinidad Guardian, 10 June 1996, 1.
29. See 'NAR: Victory will make us equal', Trinidad Guardian, 19 June 1996, 5.
30. Debra Wanser, 'The PNM is now like the DLP', Sunday Guardian (Trinidad), 23 June 1996, 17.
31. Yvonne Webb, 'Panday: We will not divide country on racial grounds', Trinidad Guardian, 6 June 1996, 3
32. See Selwyn Ryan, 'Round of Applause for Calypso', Sunday Express, 25 Feb. 1996, 9.
33. It may be noted here that the ten independent candidates were originally screened and some were even selected as candidates for the UNC, prior to the announcement of the accommodation with the NAR. On the announcement that certain seats were allocated for the NAR to contest, the disgruntled aspiring UNC nominees proceeded to have themselves nominated as independent candidates.
34. In the week preceding nomination day, an accommodation was reached between the UNC and the NAR, whereby it was decided that the UNC was to contest 90 seats with the other 34 being contested by NAR candidates. However, at nomination day, two persons who were screened and proposed by their respective parties before the accommodation was finalised, proceeded to file nomination papers on behalf of their respective parties. Effectively, with these two additional candidates, the 250 persons represented contested the election on a party card.
35. See Ralph Premdas, 'Ethnic Conflict and Patterns of Ethnic Conflict Regulation in Trinidad and Tobago', in Crawford Young (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity (forthcoming, 1999).
36. For some works which are useful in this regard, see John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993); Arend Lijphart, Democracy in Plural Societies (New Haven, CT, 1977); Joseph Montville (ed.), Conflict and Peacemaking in Multiethnic Societies (Lexington, MA, 1990); Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Ethnic Conflicts and the Nation-State (London, 1996); Crawford Young (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity (London, 1999); and Ralph Premdas, 'The Politics of Interethnic Accommodation: The Lewis Model', in Ralph Premdas and Eric St Cyl (eds.), Sir Arthur Lewis: An Economic and Political Portrait (Trinidad, 1991), 51-70.
37. For some works which are useful in this regard, see John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993); Arend Lijphart, Democracy in Plural Societies (New Haven, CT, 1977); Joseph Montville (ed.), Conflict and Peacemaking in Multiethnic Societies (Lexington, MA, 1990); Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Ethnic Conflicts and the Nation-State (London, 1996); Crawford Young (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity (London, 1999); and Ralph Premdas, 'The Politics of Interethnic Accommodation: The Lewis Model', in Ralph Premdas and Eric St Cyl (eds.), Sir Arthur Lewis: An Economic and Political Portrait (Trinidad, 1991), 51-70.
38. For some works which are useful in this regard, see John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993); Arend Lijphart, Democracy in Plural Societies (New Haven, CT, 1977); Joseph Montville (ed.), Conflict and Peacemaking in Multiethnic Societies (Lexington, MA, 1990); Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Ethnic Conflicts and the Nation-State (London, 1996); Crawford Young (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity (London, 1999); and Ralph Premdas, 'The Politics of Interethnic Accommodation: The Lewis Model', in Ralph Premdas and Eric St Cyl (eds.), Sir Arthur Lewis: An Economic and Political Portrait (Trinidad, 1991), 51-70.
39. For some works which are useful in this regard, see John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993); Arend Lijphart, Democracy in Plural Societies (New Haven, CT, 1977); Joseph Montville (ed.), Conflict and Peacemaking in Multiethnic Societies (Lexington, MA, 1990); Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Ethnic Conflicts and the Nation-State (London, 1996); Crawford Young (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity (London, 1999); and Ralph Premdas, 'The Politics of Interethnic Accommodation: The Lewis Model', in Ralph Premdas and Eric St Cyl (eds.), Sir Arthur Lewis: An Economic and Political Portrait (Trinidad, 1991), 51-70.
40. For some works which are useful in this regard, see John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993); Arend Lijphart, Democracy in Plural Societies (New Haven, CT, 1977); Joseph Montville (ed.), Conflict and Peacemaking in Multiethnic Societies (Lexington, MA, 1990); Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Ethnic Conflicts and the Nation-State (London, 1996); Crawford Young (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity (London, 1999); and Ralph Premdas, 'The Politics of Interethnic Accommodation: The Lewis Model', in Ralph Premdas and Eric St Cyl (eds.), Sir Arthur Lewis: An Economic and Political Portrait (Trinidad, 1991), 51-70.
41. For some works which are useful in this regard, see John McGarry and B. O'Leary (eds.), The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation (London, 1993); Arend Lijphart, Democracy in Plural Societies (New Haven, CT, 1977); Joseph Montville (ed.), Conflict and Peacemaking in Multiethnic Societies (Lexington, MA, 1990); Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Ethnic Conflicts and the Nation-State (London, 1996); Crawford Young (ed.), The Accommodation of Cultural Diversity (London, 1999); and Ralph Premdas, 'The Politics of Interethnic Accommodation: The Lewis Model', in Ralph Premdas and Eric St Cyl (eds.), Sir Arthur Lewis: An Economic and Political Portrait (Trinidad, 1991), 51-70.