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Recently celebrating 62 years of independence, Trinidad and Tobago is regarded as one of the most successful nations in the Caribbean. However, what are the signs of a successful independent nation? In this episode, Dr. Zophia Edwards joins us to discuss that true measure of national growth is in its people. The heart of our conversation centers on the pivotal role of working people in Trinidad and Tobago's progress since independence. Despite the persistent structural dependencies on natural resources and foreign markets inherited from colonial times, the relentless unity and mobilization of the working class have driven notable improvements in material conditions such as lower infant mortality and increased life expectancy. We explore how multiracial and multi-sectoral solidarity among workers, spanning industries from sugar to oil, has consistently fought for equitable wages, better working conditions, and broader societal change, culminating in robust democratic systems and enhanced human welfare.

Finally, we delve into the intersections of race, class, and culture in the Caribbean, highlighting the importance of understanding these dynamics to fully grasp the region's past and future. Discussions on how colonial power funneled different racial groups into specific economic sectors and how workers forged a multiracial movement against oppression are complemented by the cultural resistance captured in Calypso music and social movements. Dr. Edwards also brings in perspectives from key scholars and contemporary thinkers, shedding light on recent movements and the exploitation of natural resources. Tune in to understand how historical legacies and grassroots organizing continue to shape the Caribbean's path towards justice and liberation.

Zophia Edwards is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University. Her research examines the impacts of colonialism and multiracial labor movements on state formation and human development in the Global South, with a particular focus on resource-rich countries. She has published in International Journal of Comparative Sociology, Studies in International Comparative Development, Political Power and Social Theory, among others.

*Additional Notes for the Discussion: Another key factor is that Trinidad and Tobago has not, since independence, experienced the aggression of imperial powers in the form of dire

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