This volume investigates the paradoxical political behavior of Martinique during the 1981 French presidential elections, where the island rejected the Socialist victory that swept the mainland. William F. S. Miles, a political scientist specializing in Caribbean affairs, utilizes the 1981 election cycle as a case study to examine the intersection of colonial history, ethnic identity, and political ideology. By analyzing the specific socio-economic conditions of the island, the author constructs a framework to explain why Martinican voters diverged from the French national trend.

Scholars of Caribbean politics recognize this work as a significant contribution to understanding the unique political relationship between Martinique and France. Readers frequently note the academic rigor and the clarity with which Miles navigates the complex ethnic and colonial dynamics of the region.