Infirmities of Will: Good Governance, Public Service Reform, and Democratic Legitimacy in the Caribbean

What is the most prudent way for small, developing states to address threats to human security in the post-modern global environment? Resilience demands that vulnerable states proactively embrace good governance and public service reforms to mitigate imminent security threats. The keystone of good governance is representation-driven policies that are implemented in the spirit of public service effectiveness. The people in CARICOM states need a new deal with their governments, which requires an increased investment in public accountability, community-centered civil service management, and a transparent effort to address the major social problems, such as poverty, crime, lack of opportunity, unemployment, digital literacy, and proper resource distribution aimed at development over dependency. Regional sustainable development must be addressed within the local frameworks of meaning, engaging and respecting local strategies, and linking each community into a larger network for regional engagement.