Thirteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The relationship between nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the state is one of the more interesting topics in contemporary politics. NGOs and the state contribute considerably to the unique state of Caribbean politics, yet their relationship is turbulent. This turbulence prevents effective policymaking to deal with some of the country’s toughest problems, like crime. The problem this study addressed is the turbulent relationship between NGOs and the state in Trinidad and Tobago from a postinternational framework. The purpose of this research was to provide an explanation of the NGO-state relationship through the postinternational concepts of turbulence and distant proximities. Turbulence and distant proximities refer to the tensions among actors in contemporary politics, which create a complex and dynamic environment. To address the central research question of what the perceptions of NGOs and the state of their relationship as characterized by turbulence and distant proximities are, data from documents and open-ended surveys were analyzed qualitatively. The results indicate that the NGO-state relationship can be best described as turbulent and characteristic of a distant proximity. This research should be enacted by NGOs and the state so that both entities can understand and improve their relationship. The study offers an interesting prospect for further academic investigation and presents new knowledge of the NGO-State relationship in Trinidad and Tobago. This understanding contributes to social change by offering direction in the creation and modification of public policies in the Caribbean.