This course focuses on the structure of and current controversies in Caribbean political systems from a comparative perspective. Many of these have to do with elections and electoral systems, political parties and party systems, the nature of political opposition, the nature of government and reforms of the state, human rights and human development, justice, crime and corruption, models of economic development, and the impact of globalization. These problems are discussed in the context of the challenges faced by the Caribbean to meet acceptable standards of democracy, development and globalization. This assessment is useful against the background of certain failures in human, economic and political development in the region and the need to explore possible correctives.