Download caribbean studies

PAST PAPER REVIEW
2009
Explain what is meant by the following
terms:
 Plural society
 Mestizo
 dougla
A plural society is one in which there are
several distinct racial/ethnic groups who
interact with each other, but keep
distinct
lines
between
them
in
fundamental areas.
 Mestizo
was the name given to
individuals of European and Amerindian
heritage
 Dougla refers to an individual who is
mixed with African and East Indian
ancestry.


Define the term ‘soil erosion’.

The continuous removal of the top layer
of soil from the surface of the land,
whether by the action of the wind,
water, gravity, earth movements or by
mankind.

Describe TWO processes that have
contributed to soil erosion in the
Caribbean
Landslides, flooding, hurricanes, extreme
wave action
 Deforestation in places like Haiti could
be a major cause of soil erosion.


Name TWO groups of indentured
labourers who were brought to the
Caribbean after emancipation in 1838.
East Indians
 Chinese


Give TWO reasons why EACH group of
indentured labourers were brought to the
Caribbean.
The search for the cheapest supply of
labour
 The shortage or scarcity of labour in
some colonies
 The
deliberate use of indentured
immigrants to frustrate the
formerly
enslaved.


Explain what is meant by the term ‘the
family as a social institution.’

This refers to the primary social unit which
socialises the infant and growing young
person in the morals, values and
practices of the basic human unit and
the wider society as a whole.

Outline
TWO
reasons
why
many
Caribbean family forms were considered
‘dysfunctional’ by colonial authorities.
The nuclear family was seen as the norm
and the colonial authorities did not
regard Caribbean families, such s those
with single parents, or extended families
as proper forms
 These families were matrifocal as in
Africa and this offended the sense of
male superiority held by colonial
authorities and the belief in male
supremacy in the European household.


Describe Two ways in which immigrant
labour
from
the
Caribbean
has
impacted on the economies of Europe
and North America.
Caribbean migrants become consumers
in the host economies and so further
contribute to the economies
 Migrant labour provides these countries
with relatively cheap labour, especially
in the manual, menial jobs which natives
do not wish to perform.


Describe One way in which Cuban
immigrants have influenced policy in
North America.

The powerful Cuban lobby in Florida has
had a direct impact on legislation,
regulating legal and illegal migration
from Cuba to the US. IT has also served
as a powerful pressure group that has
affected governance and voting in the
U.S.

Define the term ‘per capita income’.

Per capita income is the total income
earned from goods and services
produced by a country in one year
divided by the total population for that
country in that year.

Explain ONE way in which ‘levels of
income’ is a better indicator of
development than ‘per capita income’.

Levels of income is a better indicator of
development because levels of income
speaks to categories of income of a
variety of individuals such as teachers,
lawyers, construction workers.
These
categories can be used to indicate the
growth levels in an economy especially
when these levels of income are rising.

Define the term ‘popular movement’

A popular movement is one that is
initiated by the ideas of the masses, or
was developed for the masses. It can
have local or international appeal.

Describe Two ways in which a named
popular movement in the Caribbean has
contributed to national identity.
Rastafarianism has created a sense of
black consciousness
 Rastafarianism has contributed to our
rejection of colonial/European rule.


Explain what is meant by the ‘mutual
advantage’ concept of social justice.

Refers to the social contract that exists
between the state and its citizens,
whether written or unwritten. The state is
expected to protect the rights of its
citizens in so far as the citizens are
expected to obey the laws and statutes
of the state.

Distinguish between ‘prejudice’ and
‘discrimination’.

Prejudice is born of emotion, it is an
attitude, a strong belief that is personal
and subjective. Discrimination is action
oriented and involves action that is
directed against an individual or group.
The difference between the two is that
prejudice does not move beyond the
realm of belief and thus inflicts no
physical harm on the person or group
targeted.

Define the term ‘mass media’.

The mass media refers to all those
channels which communicate messages
to large audiences simultaneously.
These channels can be placed in two
categories – the print media and the
electronic media.`

Explain ONE way in which the Caribbean
mass media has hindered the promotion
of a Caribbean entertainment industry
The mass media in the Caribbean
engages in the broadcast of foreign
entertainment,
thereby
promoting
foreign values and crowding out local
entertainment
 The mass media only portrays caribbean
artistes when they are recognized by
international music labels e.g. Sean Paul,
Rihanna


Explain One way in which the mass
media has assisted in the promotion of
Caribbean entertainment internationally.

Engaging
in
the
promotion
of
entertainment through advertising and
the broadcast of live concerts.

Explain the term ‘pan –africanism’.

Pan –Africanism is an ideology which
regards Africa and African people as a
unit and it thus promotes the unification
of African people and the glorification of
the african past.

Give one reason why some interest
groups in the Caribbean opposed Pan –
Africanism.

The white planter merchant class was
the main opposition group who saw the
education and enlightenment of the
former enslaved as
maintaining
colonialism.

State ONE way in which Pan – Africanists
attempted to unite people of the African
diaspora.

Through
organizing
pan-African
conferences and newspapers which
promoted the idea of African unification.

Examine THREE measures that Caribbean
countries can implement to minimize the
danger posed to coral reefs in the
region. (20 marks)

Educating individuals and groups such as
fishermen, farmers hoteliers and even
tourists would be part of the effort to
increase awareness about the importance
of reefs and to encourage all to protect
them.

Governments have established and should
continue to
establish marine-protected
zones around important coastal regions
inhabited by coral species and fish as the
official stance or policy in the fight to guard
the reefs.

Laws should be passed to protect the
shoreline and to establish activities that
would be viewed as criminal and against
the environment. Such laws would be
against pollution of the seas and would
guard against activities such as trawling,
a method of fishing that can damage
the reef and alter its environment.

With legislation in place, marine officers
would be empowered to protect the
coastline and be watchful of cruise ships
and large yachts, that have been noted
to damage the reefs.

Governments could adopt a regional
approach to the issue in an effort to
provide a central policy. This would
allow for a united stance against criminal
and negligent activities that damage
the reefs.
Governments could share
intelligence of the issue and benefit from
a collective aproach.

Examine THREE ways in which the justice
system, as a social institution, impacts on
society and culture.
Note that the impact of the system in
individual territories has been immense,
positive and has brought about farreaching benefits.
 Highlight as wellthe short- comings of the
system.






Answers to include things such as:
Unfair trials
Acts of discrimination, based on race,
gender, colour and age
Loop-holes in the system which enables
wealthy persons to escape punishments
Positive – implementation of the CCJ.
Positive – is moving towards a moral
approach of examining human rights
abuses etc….

Using examples from the Caribbean,
describe the importance of EACH of the
following concepts:
1. economic development
2. political development
3. social political
(20 marks)

Ecnomic development – students are
expected to define this concept as well
as to show how improvements in other
areas of society would not be possible
without this form of development.

Describe
THREE
ways
in
which
discrimination against women hinders
development in the region. (20 marks)

The concept of development includes
the increase in productivity in society
and therefore society must make full use
of its female and male citizens. When
women are prevented from taking part
in the workforce, a key impact would be
the reduction of poverty.

Gender discrimination leads to lack of
leadership skills and lack of knowledge
that
would
contribute
to
the
advancement of society.

Account for the changing role that race,
colour and ethnic affiliation play in
Caribbean society and culture.
(30 marks)
Can be argued from TWO sides:
On one hand you can state that race,
colour and ethnicity continue to
dominate interactions in society.
On the other hand, you can state that with
the coming of Independence, persons
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
“There is no single Caribbean culture”.
Do you agree? Provide arguments and
examples to support your answer.

“The ultimate goal of CARICOM is to
institute a single government for
CARICOM member states.
If this goal becomes a reality, discuss the
ways in which this development may
help OR hinder the movement towards
Caribbean integration.
“Tourism has advanced development in
the Caribbean”.
Present arguments for AND against this
statement.