This presentation is based on an essay recently published in Small Axe journal. The essay traces roots of marginalization of the Dutch Caribbean in Caribbean studies, and approaches these roots as an integral part of a shared Caribbean intellectual history.

Does democratization lead to more meritocracy in the civil service? I argue that electoral accountability increases the value of competence over personal loyalty in the civil service. While this resembles an application of merit principles, it does not lead to an automatic reduction in patronage politics.