Comparative analysis of public policies affecting natural resources and the environment : interest group politics in the Eastern Caribbean

The most influential groups tend to have priorities other than the health of the natural environment, while those with the largest stake in the natural resource base are usually excluded from the policy- making process. The paper describes the importance of understanding the role of interest groups in the public policy process and, in particular, the characteristics of interest groups in the Eastern Caribbean. Case studies of large development projects in St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and Barbados are used to document and describe why attempts to protect natural resources have failed. Recommendations are offered to improve the effectiveness of environmental policies by: strengthening linkages between donor agencies, national governments, and nongovernmental organizations; conducting a stakeholder analysis for use in designing practical policy strategies; and providing legal protection to enable individuals and groups to more fully participate in the public policy process. Includes bibliography