Our Starting Positions: Does Reflexivity Matter? A Response To Lindsay Holder’s CBA

Submitted by George Brathwaite, PhD Candidate (International Politics)

Leading critical theorist in international relations, Robert Cox, believes that “theory is always for someone and for some purpose. All theories have a perspective. Perspectives derive from a position in time and space, specifically social and political time and space” (1981, 128). There is no doubt that the sentiment expressed by Cox is a challenge for academics to be open on their biases. This may be achieved through recourse to the application of reflexivity.

Reflexivity may be generally defined as an “awareness of the ways in which the researcher as an individual with a particular social identity and background has an impact on the research process” (Robson 2002 quoted in McGhee et al. 2007, 335). Knowledge provided through reflexivity is integral to explanation due to “limits of objectivity and the provisional nature of knowledge” (Alvesson et al. 2008, 481). Despite there is likelihood that personal values, attributes, and “our biases and perspectives influence interpretation” (Weston et al. 2001, 384) and can bolster insight, the imputing of a researcher into the process ascribes both limitations and advantages over outcomes and explanations (Finlay 2002, 215).

There are some researchers that are riveted in their antecedent outlook. These often propose that reflexivity presents narcissistic and solipsistic abundance into explanations. I do not share such a view and hence it is integral to my critique of LH’s article to alert readers to the fact that I write from the position of being a proud Barbadian and Caribbean citizen. I am inclined to be pro-integrationist, and I am keenly in favour of the fair and equal treatment of people.

Barbadians Can’t Be This Stupid

Historically Barbados has been a most profitable market for LIME formerly Cable & Wireless. It should concern Barbadians how LIME has betrayed the willingness of Barbadian consumers to stupidly buy its high priced products and services over the years. It should concern Barbadians how the relevant regulatory agency, the Fair Trading Commission has ruled on policy which facilitates the perpetual raping of Barbadian consumers, namely the Price Cap Mechanism by LIME.

In the current economic downturn which has seen many of the small islands in the Caribbean scurrying to the International Monetary Fund, and despite super profits, LIME continues to send home Barbadians under the guise of a restructure. A company has the right to act in the interest of its shareholder, it is acknowledged most companies recognize it has a social investment obligation. There is no commercial enterprise which can profitably exist in a market which collapses i.e.high unemployment.

It is time for stupid Barbadians to demonstrate that the investment in free education which previous governments have supported was not a wasted effort. The most profitable revenue centre of LIME is the revenues it generates from long distance calling. One way Barbadians can protest the inhumane management practices at LIME is to access the many alternatives available to facilitate long distance calling at super low prices.

West Indies Cricket Mired In A Perpetual Crisis

Submitted by The Scout

Julian Hunte, West Indies Board Chairman

It is often said that society today reflects what has been taught to the young generation, hence they only reproduce what is happening in society in general. We see this in the callous attitude of workers today, we also see it in the selfish, “don’t careish” attitude of our drivers, in fact this is demonstrated in almost every area of society today. It is therefore no surprise that our only unifying company in the Caribbean, namely West Indies cricket, is now about to fall victim to the cancer of arrogance that has been engrained in this selfish Caribbean region.

There is this belief within the region that some groups of people have the right to invade other countries and demand even more rights than citizens of the very country, while at home they have little or no such privileges. Even though it is absolutely obvious that they are causing disruptions, they selfish attitude has prevented them from seeing rationally, even at the expense of causing a serious demise of the entire region.

The same thing has been plaguing West Indies cricket for some time and it, like the regional countries, has the potential to permanently damage the Caribbean reputation globally. Both the WICB and the WIPA are behaving like gods unto themselves, at the expense of the Caribbean cricket  fans. Both sides have got many skeletons in their closet, as we all know yet neither side seem willing to come off their “high horse” positions.

Lindsay Holder Responds To Comments On Cost-Benefit Analysis Article

Submitted by Lindsay Holder, Economist

The eagerly awaited rebuttal to queries raised by Lindsay Holder’s Barbados – A Cost Benefit Analysis of Immigration has been submitted. Here is the link to the PDF document titled Comments on Cost-Benefit Analysis Article.

Sir Lloyd Sandiford Goes To China

Barbados Ambassador to China, former Prime Minister Sir Lloyd Sandiford (left), chatting with China's Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu after yesterday's signing ceremony. (Picture by Nation Newspaper)

It is unusual for a former Prime Minister to be appointed Ambassador to a foreign country. It is a first for Barbados! Sir Lloyd Sandiford’s appointment as Ambassador to China can be viewed from several angles, the one which appears worthy is the emergence of China as the global economic power and the need to hedge our foreign policy. To have a former Prime Minister stationed in China acting in the interest of Barbados at this juncture of geopolitics creates the opportunity for Barbados to ride potential economic opportunities.

The worry point for Barbados as we develop a closer relationship with China is the issue of trade-off. Barbados has developed a decent relationship with China over the years. In the last 25 years Chinese money and labour has supported several projects in Barbados, Queens College, Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, Salvation Army Headquarters, completion of the problematic NHC building in Warrens to name a few.  If we are not mistaken China has made money available to the Caribbean Development to fund a few projects.

So Much Like America!!

Hartley Henry - DLP Political Strategist

News top lines on leading United States television networks this past week brought home quite forcibly the similarities of the latter day Barbados and America experience. Take for example, the fight by Democrats to upgrade and modernize national health services. It is costing a pretty penny and there are questions as to whether the timing is right, given the reality of the global economic meltdown. Nonetheless the importance and necessity of the reforms cannot be questioned.

While Democrats are closing ranks and signing onto the bigger picture, inspite of individual misgivings, Republicans are opposing for reasons yet to be outlined. No opposition spokesperson has as yet advanced a reasoned argument as to why health reforms should not be pursued, but what is clear is that those who sit across from Obama and his colleagues on the government benches will not support the measure in any form. Sounds familiar?

I visited South Florida two weeks ago and the price of regular fuel at the pump was about US$2.37 a gallon. Monday of this week, fuel at the pump in South Florida was US$2.56 a gallon at the same stations. Local authorities made clear that they could not absorb fluctuating movements in the price of crude and by extension, fuel. They advanced the theory that it was more prudent at this point to institute a flexible pricing structure where daily movements are reflected in the price to the consumer. The plausibility of this theory is borne out in the fact that Tuesday of this week, the price for a barrel of crude had soared to US$74 a barrel and projections were that it would continue to climb.

LIME The Bully, BWU The Weakling!

Sir Roy Trotman - General Secretary of BWU

We intended to advise the BU family of the good work which BU family members ROK, Chris Halsall et al continue to do on behalf of the people of Barbados. In light of the recent news concerning the severing of 116 employees from LIME how could we not add a few words about our favourite company.

The Fair Trading Commission recently announced the list of 10 Intervenors who have complied  with the requirements under the Procedural Rules and have been granted intervenor status to participate in the review of electricity rates to commence on 7 October 2009 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. At the top of the list is Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (BANGO).

Although the the rate review is scheduled for 7 October 2009 several procedural matters start from August 7, the Intervenors will be kept busy doing the people’s work. We take this opportunity to thank the 10 civic minded Intervenors.

Sadly the re-emergence in the news of LIME, formerly Cable & Wireless sending home 116 employees at the height of a recession again brings into sharp focus the role of the FTC. Rulings by the FTC in the recent past has seen C&W which has a monopoly of fixed-lines in Barbados generating huge profits. Despite a good bottom-line over the years C&W formerly LIME has been relentless in sending home rank and file Barbadians while the executives continue to rake in some of the highest salaries in the Southern Caribbean  along with bonus payments.

The Race Card

Barbados Underground (BU) is thankful for all the complaining we hear about our blog because it means we have freedom of speech. Thanks to Nancie .J Carmody who made the following quote famous: “I am thankful for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.”

The evergreen race debate like immigration, homosexuality and topics of this tenor which BU is driven to blog about will always evoke passion. It is the nature of the beast. How can we debate the issue of race in a manner which is acceptable given the strong views likely to be provoked? The fact that we have people from different backgrounds whether influenced by race, education, socialization among other factors will make the race dialogue interesting.

BU finds it difficult for a Black person to be accused of being racist. It is our belief the word racist is often used interchangeable for ‘bigot’ or ‘prejudice’ by some. The BU household is always willing to learn from the BU family and welcomes feedback on our position.

Michael Pritchard Makes Filthy Water Potable

Michael Pritchard Bio: With cutting-edge nanotech, Michael Pritchard’s Lifesaver water-purification bottle could revolutionize water-delivery systems in disaster-stricken areas around the globe.

The furore about the 60% hike in the water rates in Barbados made effective from  July 1, 2009 seems to have gone the way of the seven day wonder. The disregard which Barbadians have had for water management at the residential or national level is well known. Let us face it, water does not rank very high on our list of priorities, why should it, we are a water scarce country.

Good news is here, watch the video!

I hope WE Have A Plan

Submitted by Adrian Loveridge - Hotel Owner

In less than two months we will see the arrival of two new air services. Factually the return of one from Philadelphia (US Airways) and a brand new addition, JetBlue from New York!

There is no doubt in my mind that JetBlue aggressive pricing will drive new business, even though American Airlines were quick to match fares on certain routes. Competition has certainly worked with the arrival of WestJet from Canada. But in many respects the United States for us, is a difference market and even before the current global economic crisis, it has not really seen any significant or sustained growth over the last six years or so.

It’s been a great puzzle to me for sometime why an increasingly disproportionate percentage of the BTA annual budget is consistently spent on this market with no real growth achieved.