It is important to assess how much of the territory’s capital mix — wealth-generating assets, with their associated supply and value chains — is in the hands of the public …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI advised to assess its ‘capital mix’”
It is important to assess how much of the territory’s capital mix — wealth-generating assets, with their associated supply and value chains — is in the hands of the public …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI advised to assess its ‘capital mix’”
The wealth of the Virgin Islands primarily depends on the productivity of its workforce. Productivity is simply the measure of human effort that increases a country or territory’s economic output …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI’s ‘productivity’ analysed”
Social behaviour is culture, and culture decides the destiny of a society. Therefore, the destiny of the Virgin Islands primarily depends on its culture more than any other consideration. Culture, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Culture seen as key to success”
A $500 million yacht moors off a remote Caribbean island. A helicopter takes off from its deck. A massive private jet sits silently on the tarmac of a private airport …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Jack the Billionaire’ scrutinised”
As the Virgin Islands goes through the trauma of a Commission of Inquiry and its aftermath, the territory should remember that the exercise aims at strengthening governance. And getting governance …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — COI reforms seen as road to better governance”
“The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” This cliché is useful in revealing the tendency of capital to drive social and wealth inequality. The reason the wealthy appear …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Capitalism under the microscope”
The hegemony of capital is nothing new. From the earliest days — in fact, the start of written history — the ruler of the tribe was the person who controlled …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Hegemony of capital’ scrutinised”
The story of capital and social inequality makes it clear: In a world ruled by capital, young Virgin Islanders and other residents must understand economics and finance. Understanding capital offers …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Residents urged to understand economics”
Here’s a question relevant to the layperson in economics: What mix of scarce resources best fits in with the outcome and vision of an investor, a policy maker, or even …
Continue reading “Commentary — VI offered ideas for ‘capital mix’”
Inherited capital is the greatest source of social inequality. Capital ownership keeps specific families on top of the social and wealth pyramid for multiple generations. Capital and power are synonyms. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Inequality seen as deeply entrenched”
Capital ownership has driven increasing social and wealth inequality practically everywhere. Social inequality is a global phenomenon driven by the power of capital and the owners of capital. Capital — …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Social inequality, capitalism analysed”
Capital is resources that drive social and economic growth: finance, machinery, land, technology, labour, skills and management. Those who control capital and how capital is managed rule society. If Virgin …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘The rule of capital’ explained”
A community coming together to aid one stricken by personal financial crisis is admirable. However, that assistance must come with safeguards for those who contribute their cash. There are caveats …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘A hard lesson for a generous community’”
The fragmentation of the two-party system has left the Virgin Islands Party the undisputed powerhouse of VI politics. The opposing three parties are a work in progress. However, of the …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Lessons learned from general election”
Fratricide — brother killing brother — appears endemic in black communities in the United States. That sad narrative has also visited the shores of the Virgin Islands. Our paradise is …
In the heat of the Virgin Islands’ general election campaign, the one matter that appears overlooked amidst the thrusts, hustings and rhetorical shuffling of electioneering is how politicians intend to …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘The 800-pound gorilla in the room’”
A certain politician loves pontificating on the beauty of these Virgin Islands. Most aliens arriving on these shores swiftly appreciate the safety, beauty and wholesomeness of life here. These islands …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI seen to be ‘under threat’”
All nations depend on outside countries to fill in crucial links in their supply chains. This fact is at the core of modern-day globalisation. However, when crises such as war …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Voters urged to consider food security”
It is a well-worn cliché that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This advice should guide leaders who want a wholesome, happy and lengthy tenure in office. Sadly, it …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Governance ‘impunity’ called out”
Wise residents fully understand that United Kingdom oversight of the Virgin Islands is required at this time. Complete culture change towards an honest society is the singular route to self-determination …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — UK ‘oversight’ still seen as needed”
Politicians who enter the arena of power with a vendetta may last a long time, but they seldom end up well. These people are a key source of poor governance, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Revenge seen as bad politics”
Post the 2023 elections, intelligent voters understand that the next Virgin Islands government must completely adopt the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations for governance reform. That will mean working in partnership …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for voting wisely”
As the Virgin Islands enters the season of talk and promises, in another land far away and across the vast Atlantic, elections will take place this month. In that other …
Continue reading “LETTER — Voters urged to use ‘honesty test’”
The choices voters make at elections in any free democracy mothball into the social and economic outcomes of a country or territory, all things being equal. The choices made by …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Voters urged to choose wisely in coming election”
A country or territory without an appropriate set of guiding values and principles — invisible rules of conscience and morality that sit in the hearts and souls of its residents …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI urged to swallow COI ‘medicine’”