In this book, the islands' connections with American and European metropolitan centers are considered lifelines, which must be strengthened. the constitutional arrangement is defined as extended statehood, a form of government that is meant to supplement the island government. Circumstances have changed and require a format of analysis that goes beyond the old landscape of 'colonies' and 'independent states.' the objective of this book is to promote a new look at extended statehood in the Caribbean while raising a number of questions relating to the operation of the different extended statehood systems across the region.