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Mitterrand in the Caribbean: Socialism (?) Comes to Martinique

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

William F. S. Miles
William F. S. Miles*
Affiliation:
Northeastern University in Boston
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Extract

May 10, 1981, not only ushered in a political surprise for France, as well as for its European and American allies, but sent positive shockwaves throughout that part of the Caribbean which is still French. On that date François Mitterrand came to power in the Metropole of France at the same time that the Départements d'Outre-Mer (DOM or overseas departments) of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guiana rejected his candidacy with a unanimity as stunning as it is rare in West Indian politics. Ever since the DOM have been coping with Socialism in France, decentralization in the Caribbean, and an unprecedented antilleanization of local culture, institutions, and politics. The result has been a paradox of heightened social liberalism combined with intensified political violence; but paradox has always been at the heart of the French Antilles.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , Fall 1985 , pp. 63 - 79
Copyright
Copyright © University of Miami 1985

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References

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