Politics of Barbados

POLITICS OF BARBADOS

The history of politics on the island of Barbados can be looked at from many points of view and many different periods of time. This research will cover issues of the political system immediately following the emancipation of slaves on Barbados and will go on to examine Barbados’ becoming of a nation-state.

The time period immediately following the emancipation of slaves within Barbados signifies a time, that politically, little had change. Sugar planters remained in control of the island government and dominated each of its levels. Instead of focusing on ways to help the newly freed blacks, the white planters worked to pass legislation that would keep blacks under their control.

One area in which the planter government oppressed the blacks of the island was in education. Following the emancipation of the slaves on Barbados, the English imperial government wanted basic secular education for all of the newly freed blacks. The planters however did not like this idea because they felt that the education of the newly freed blacks would create unrealistic expectations for blacks and make them less productive workers.

The planter-exclusive government also limited the passing of social welfare programs for blacks. The planters, still being bitter about losing their free workforce, argued that at the time of emancipation all duties that they had to care for sick, old, and impoverished peoples was no longer required of them.

It is evident that the time period following the emancipation of slaves was very similar to the slave system, the only exception being that the blacks were no longer slaves, but their actual situation was not greatly improved upon, due primarily to the white planters who dominated the local government and who were so intent to keep blacks oppressed and under the whites control.