Barbados became independent on Nov. 30, 1966, after joining the ill-fated West Indies Federation (1958–62). By then the economy was expanding and diversifying, mainly as a result of the policies pursued by the governments formed after the planter-merchant elite lost power.
Barbados is a member of the Commonwealth and continues to play a leading role in the establishment of regional cooperation. In 1968 Errol Barrow, who served as prime minister in 1966–76 and 1986–87, helped form the Caribbean Free Trade Association, which became the Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom) in 1973. The island has also established close ties with countries elsewhere in the developing world.
Throughout the postindependence period, Barbados has had one of the most stable political systems in the English-speaking Caribbean. The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) led the country into independence and continued in office until 1976. Thereafter, in free and fair elections held at regular intervals, the DLP and the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) have alternated in leading the government.
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Palm-trees-by-the-ocean-BarbadosPalm trees by the ocean, Barbados.[Credits : © Digital Vision/Getty Images]
[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
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Souvenir-market-stall-BarbadosSouvenir market stall, Barbados.[Credits : © Sylvain Grandadam—Robert Harding World Imagery/Getty Images]
[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
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