Doctoral Dissertation Research:

University Of Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Abstract

This project will examine how Dominicans (Caribbean) are responding to new free trade rulings by the World Trade Organization that eliminate protected markets for their major agricultural export, bananas. The author argues that these rulings will make it difficult for small producers to compete with large operations based in Central/South America, and that they seek to develop alternative markets (different products and trade routes). The focus will be on women market entrepreneurs ("hucksters") who have historically played a major role in mediating trade relationships and generating alternative markets for produce. The project will be based in Roseau, headquarters of the Dominica Hucksters Association. Theoretically, it will examine how local communities respond to economic globalization (and liberalization), specifically trade legislation that alters previous post-colonial dependency relationships.