Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: In a previous study of postcolonial states in the Caribbean and Africa (Richards 2007) the effect of ethnic fractionalization on economic growth was examined. The central theory focused on how increased levels of diversity would lead to slower economic growth because high rates of ethnic fractionalization created barriers to doing business. Issues like commonalities, trust and cross-cultural understanding would be adversely affected by fractionalization. In the Africa sample it appeared to be the case that fractionalization had a significant negative effect on economic growth. Yet this was not true for the Caribbean. This paper explores the nature of nationalism in the two regions. I posit that there are different kinds of nationalism, inclusive and exclusive, based on the type of majority citzenry, either native or settler.