Guyana: Politics in a Plantation Society

by Chaitram Singh

Overview

This volume examines the politics and government of Guyana from World War II to the present. Professor Singh ably describes the downfall of a nation which, when it became independent in 1966, had good prospects, ample resources, and a relatively educated population. He examines how a liberal democracy succumbed to authoritarian tendencies, resulting in a defacto one-party state. Next, the author demonstrates how economic development became a casualty of over-centralilzed political and economic decision making. He argues that the persistence of underdevelopment in ex-colonies such as Guyana is traceable to domestic causes.

This volume examines the politics and government of Guyana from World War II to the present. Professor Singh ably describes the downfall of a nation which, when it became independent in 1966, had good prospects, ample resources, and a relatively educated population. He examines how a liberal democracy succumbed to authoritarian tendencies, resulting in a defacto one-party state. Next, the author demonstrates how economic development became a casualty of over-centralilzed political and economic decision making. He argues that the persistence of underdevelopment in ex-colonies such as Guyana is traceable to domestic causes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275929893
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/07/1988
Series:	Politics in Latin America
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.56(d)

About the Author

CHAITRAM SINGH is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Berry College, Georgia, and a native of Guyana.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Robert Wesson
The Land of the Six Races
The Difficult Path to Independence
Elections and Political Parties
Poliltical Institutions
The Economy under Cooperative Socialism
Foreign Relations
Bibliography
Index