The Opening of the Floodgates: Globalisation and its Significance in Caymanian Development

This week I continue my series summarizing chapters from Roy Bodden’s book Deconstructing Development: Immigration, Society and Economy in Early 21st Century Cayman. The goal of this project is to encourage reading and discussion of the works of Caymanian scholars who have written about our islands, their development, achievements, and challenges. By revisiting these writings, we can better understand the forces that shaped modern Cayman and reflect on how they continue to influence our society today.

Chapter three examines how globalisation and economic development transformed Caymanian society, particularly through tourism, offshore finance, and immigration. Globalization is the process by which economies, societies, and populations become increasingly interconnected through international trade, finance, migration, and cultural exchange, leading to significant economic growth but also social and political transformations within local communities.

In the context of this chapter, globalization means the integration of the Cayman Islands into global economic networks, particularly tourism, offshore finance, and international labour migration, which transformed the islands’ economy while reshaping their population, culture, and political dynamics. Bodden argues that while these developments brought prosperity, they also produced major demographic, cultural, and political tensions between Caymanians and expatriates. This is a theme that pervades the entire work.

Early Transformation

Before the 1950s, Caymanians relied largely on seafaring and remittances, with many men leaving the islands to find work. Major developments in the mid-twentieth century changed this. These included: 1953: Barclays Bank opened, creating the first full banking service; 1954: Owen Roberts Airport opened, boosting tourism; 1960s: Banking secrecy laws attracted international investors; 1970s onward when tourism and finance became the main pillars of the economy.

These changes created new employment opportunities locally and helped transform Cayman from a struggling society into a prosperous economy.

Role of Caymanian Seamen

The chapter emphasizes that Caymanian seamen were crucial to the islands’ development. Their reputation for reliability and their remittances stimulated economic growth and helped attract global attention to the islands. Bodden argues that they laid the groundwork for later industries such as tourism and international finance.

Rise of Expatriate Population

Economic expansion led to a large influx of foreign workers. Bodden writes that only about 18 expatriates lived in Cayman in 1958, however, by the late 1980s there were over 10,000 non-Caymanians, holding around 40% of jobs. Many expatriates came to work in banking, law, tourism, and construction. The author argues that they were often attracted by economic opportunities and Cayman’s tax-haven status.

Social and Cultural Tensions

The chapter describes growing tensions between Caymanians and foreign residents. In his analysis, Bodden notes that many expatriates, particularly from Britain, formed socially separate communities; they dominated high-level positions in finance, law, and accounting and that some displayed attitudes of cultural or racial superiority, echoing colonial hierarchies. These dynamics, he continues, led to resentment among Caymanians who felt excluded from the highest economic opportunities in their own country.

 Early Warnings from Leaders

Bodden notes that several political figures warned about the consequences of uncontrolled immigration and development. Commissioner Allan Cardinal cautioned Caymanians not to lose control of their country. Commissioner Andrew Morris Gerrard warned about the need for proper immigration and planning laws. Politicians Benson Ebanks and Warren Conolly criticized foreign influence and possible corruption in development projects. These warnings reflected concerns that foreign capital and immigration might overwhelm local society.

 Political Conflict and Nationalism

The chapter highlights a notable incident during the 1968 elections, when Jamaican lawyer Karl Brandon ran for office in George Town. His candidacy triggered nationalist backlash because many Caymanians believed political power should remain in local hands. The controversy symbolized deeper anxieties about outsiders gaining economic and political control.

Rapid Population Change

Historians such as Michael Craton note that the Cayman Islands experienced dramatic population growth between 1960 and 1999, mainly due to immigration rather than natural increase. This demographic shift meant that Caymanian society became more diverse but also more unstable and contested.

Cultural Identity and Resistance

The chapter ends with a poem, “Mia san Mia (We Are Who We Are),” expressing Caymanian resistance to claims that locals lack culture or capability. The poem asserts Caymanian history, traditions, and identity while criticizing attitudes that demean local people. Bodden argues that a major weakness in Caymanian society is a tendency among many established Caymanians to undervalue their own identity, history, and the achievements of their ancestors. He attributes this attitude, which he believes affects people across all social and racial groups, to the lingering psychological effects of colonialism, where the accomplishments of the colonized were historically diminished in order to justify colonial dominance.

According to the author, this lack of confidence and assertiveness has allowed some expatriates to impose attitudes of cultural and social superiority. What began in the 1970s as a cautious and distant relationship between Caymanians and incoming expatriates has, in  Bodden’s view, evolved into a more tense and volatile situation in the twenty-first century. The author suggests that Caymanians now face a condition in which external actors often shape the national agenda.

To address this challenge, Bodden advocates stronger civic education. He argues that Caymanian students should be taught the history of the islands’ development, the contributions of Caymanian builders of modern society, and the ideas of anti-colonial thinkers. Such education, he believes, would help future generations better understand the effects of immigration, expatriate influence, colonialism, and economic globalization on Caymanian society.

The chapter concludes that globalization brought both economic prosperity and social challenges. While immigration and foreign investment helped build modern Cayman, they also created: demographic imbalance; economic inequality; cultural tension; fears of loss of national control. Bodden argues that while globalisation and foreign investment fuelled Cayman’s economic success, they also created profound social and political challenges. Understanding this history is essential for future generations navigating immigration, development, and national identity.

Photography by David Goddard