Trinidad and Tobago Ethnic Conflict, Inequality and Public Sector Governance [Hardcover]

How does a multi-ethnic society resolve the contentious issue of resource allocation without damaging the state? This study examines inequality in terms of distributive justice, adaptation of political institutions, the role of symbols of recognition in representation and conflict management in power sharing, resource allocation and public policy.Foreword Preface Ethnicity, Inequality and Conflict: An Introduction The Peoples of Trinidad and Tobago: Historical and Constitutional Evolution Struggles over the Distribution of Posts in the Public Service, Private Sector, Cabinet, Parliament and Presidency Identity Politics: Struggles over Symbols, Culture and History Partisan Politics, Electoral Systems and Ethnic Strife Modes and Mechanisms of Inter-Ethnic Conflict Management Conclusion

'an important resource for anyone trying to understand the complexities of multi-ethnic societies and the manner in which they manage conflict and engage with questions of distribution - perhaps the most important question facing post-colonial societies.' - Pal Ahluwalia, Professor of Ethnic Studies, University of California, San Diego, USA and Research Chair and Professor of Post-Colonial Studies, University of South Australia.

RALPH PREMDAS is Professor of Public Policy at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad. He is author of numerous articles and books, including Ethnic Conflict and Development: The Case of Guyana (1995); Ethnic Conflict and Development: The Case of Fiji; Identity, Ethnicity and Culture in the Caribbean; and Secessionist Movements in Comparative Perspective.