The Constitutional Framework of the French Caribbean

Abstract

France is a unitary State. As such, it only has one unique parliament, one unique government, and one unique constitution, which lays down the framework for the governance of its territories around the world. Included amongst these territories are Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy, which are located in the Caribbean. This chapter focuses on the general framework of their functioning within the French Constitution. It begins by discussing the history of the French Caribbean. It then considers how the different territories are currently governed as an integral part of the State. It argues that the French Caribbean should not be regarded as a mere replica of the functioning of the administrative subdivisions of mainland France. The four French Caribbean territories are, to various degrees, more independent from the State’s interference than the other administrative subdivisions in mainland France.