Wendell Bell, The Democratic Revolution in the West Indies: Some reflections on the past, present, and future

► We look at one of Bell's seminal works on democratic change in the West Indies. ► We contend that ideas from the Enlightenment lay the foundation for Bell's futurist studies. ► We conclude that the democratic revolution has only been partially realized, largely in the migratory host societies of West Indian immigrants. The article looks at Professor Bell's early and seminal work in the West Indies and his attempt to interrogate the process of what he (Bell) labels as The Democratic Revolution in the West Indies. Bell, it is argued, uses theoretical paradigms of the social sciences to analyze how ideas from the enlightenment of the eighteenth century, to wit the process of spreading equality (writ large), and egalitarianism, can be effectuated in the new and small nation-states of the West Indies. It is argued, that this mode of inquiry was indeed the early beginning of, and laid the foundations for, Bell's futurist studies and pursuits currently, and, that by examining the findings, it can be seen if they are now borne out for these countries and, if not, the prospects for any recovery in the future. Finally, the author contends that, although the Democratic Revolution has been somewhat stymied, the earlier thrust for, and focus on, increased education has had the unintended effect of motivating fleeing migratory nationals and their progeny, to seek and demonstrate their equality through education in the core host democracies.