Different Perspectives of the Caribbean The Caribbean has remained an unexplained region throughout time because there are many different representations of what is actually happening. The different cultures of the Caribbean bring with them many different points of view. A perfect example is the way Cliff, Mintz and Benitez-Rojo describe their version of the Caribbean. They discuss affairs in the Caribbean from the times of the slave trade to current issues. Analyzing their anecdotes and books, one can find not only similarities between them, but also discrepancies. All three authors express their thoughts vividly, liberating ideas about the Caribbean. Among the most important themes of these ideas were that of the plantation, identity and social hierarchy. The role of the plantation was an important issue raised by all authors. The plantation has played a fundamental role in Caribbean society from colonialism to contemporary society. Mintz and Benitez-Rojo gave a number of positive aspects of how plantations were positive in helping the economy, while Cliff despised the entire plantation system. All authors raise valid questions in their analysis of plantations. According to Mintz, the emergence of plantations occurred when there was a decline in miners. This decline brought a new economy and an alternative plan to their mining career. Additionally, it was a new source of production for goods such as sugar, rum, coffee, and tobacco. The production of goods meant more money for the Caribbean economy and new materials to give to their colonial powers. Mintz argues that the Caribbean flourished thanks to the plantation system. He even goes so far as to state that “the plantation system was not only an agricultural tool, but also became the basis of an entire social design” (Mintz, 27). Benitez-Rojo also praises the plantation in his article titled The Repeating Island. He stated that “the modest sugar boom in the Spanish Antilles left an indelible mark on the island's society” (Benitez-Rojo, 42). Plantations created an economy in the Caribbean when there was nothing before. It changes the entire course of Caribbean history and this can be incorporated into his Chaos Theory. Benitez-Rojo believes in the physical theory that things in one place definitely have a big effect on something else. However, Cliff differs significantly in his vision of the plantation. In Cliff's Abeng, there is a lot of discussion about the plantation. However, Cliff argues how the sugar plantation actually damaged the economy and made little profit.