Book Description

I.II.III.IV.V.VI.VII.VIII.Colonial rule.The arrival of the Dutch --Emerging socio-economic structures --The winding path towards political independence --Independent in name only.Creation of the Surinamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs --Regional integration; A failed opportunity --The migration issue --Under the thumb of international capital --The 'golden handshake' or 'golden handcuffs' --The coup d'état of February 1980 --Escalating internal and external tensions --David versus Goliath.The Netherlands becomes the 'enemy' --The gloves are off --The termination of Dutch aid and its socio-economic consequences --Standing amongst giants.The push towards regional integration --Suriname feels the heat of the Cold War --Paramaribo under pressure from intergovernmental organizations and multinationals --The Libyan connection --The quest for international solidarity.A Surinamese perspective on world politics --Faced with international isolation --Paramaribo's diplomatic counteroffensive --Human rights abuses and Suriname's international image --The search for funds --Suriname on its knees.The Revolution's failure --The emerging dialogue with the Netherlands --Going around in circles --Deadlocked relations --The civil war --Another diplomatic breakdown --Return to democracy --Return to the patron-client relationship.Suriname under civilian rule --Dutch-Surinamese rapprochement --Suriname's descent into obscurity --The civil war and its international impact --Dutch-Surinamese relations, 1989-1990 --The Christmas coup --Towards a Commonwealth?An idea emerges --The case for a Commonwealth --The case against a Commonwealth --The Commonwealth's collapse into oblivion --Conclusion --Epilogue.