Theories Of Caribbean Society

Question 1

Who proposed the Plantation Society?

Answer 1

George Beckford and M.G. Horowitz

Question 2

What is the Plantation Society?

Answer 2

The “Plantation Society” theory, proposed by George Beckford and M.G. Horowitz (1972), suggests that the
socio-cultural dynamics of the Caribbean today still reflect the hierarchical structures established during slavery.

According to this theory, society remains divided into two distinct groups: a large, marginalized, predominantly black population, and a smaller, powerful group that continues to hold control, typically associated with whiteness.

Question 3

What are some characteristics of a Plantation Society?

Answer 3

Persistent Social Inequality:

Preoccupation with Foreign Goods and Influence

Dependence on Foreign Investment for Development

Racial and Color-Based Social Stratification

Question 4

Who proposed the Plural Society theory?

Answer 4

M.G. Smith

Question 5

What is the Plural Society theory?

Answer 5

M.G. Smith’s Plural Society theory posits that Caribbean society is inherently heterogeneous, with a strong emphasis on distinct cultural identities held by different racial and ethnic groups.

Unlike the idea of a unified “mainstream” Caribbean culture, Smith argued that each racial group within the Caribbean maintains its own traditions, values, and social structures, resulting in multiple coexisting cultures rather than a shared, cohesive one.

Question 6

Characteristics of Plural Society

Answer 6

Distinct Religious Practices

Plurality of Cultures

Impact of Slavery and Indentureship

Unique Family Structures

Instability Due to Lack of Common Values

Variation in Basic Institutions

Question 7

Who proposed the Creole Society?

Answer 7

Vernon Braithwaite

Question 8

What is a Creole Society?

Answer 8

Through a process called Creolization, Caribbean cultures have changed overtime adapting to and adopting the practices of its many inhabitants. Therefore in each Caribbean society there now exists a syncretic/ creole culture which is shared by all.

This unique culture (Creole culture) is an amalgamation of the cultures of mainly the white and blacks past inhabitants and to a lesser extent the cultures of the East Indians and the Chinese.

Question 9

What is acculturation

Answer 9

a process of acculturation took place where the European culture was forced upon the slaves and to a lesser extent the indentured workers.

Question 10

What is interculturation

Answer 10

where different groups in a society influence each
other’s norms