Future Scenarios: Choosing Destiny
Three economic futures compete for realization:
Scenario 1: Enhanced Dependency
Status quo evolution: - Continued reliance on French transfers - Public sector employment dominance - Import economy persistence - Brain drain acceleration - Slow relative decline
"Comfortable poverty," critiques futurist Dr. Jean-Gabriel Montauban. "Survival without dignity or dynamism."
Scenario 2: Gradual Transformation
Managed evolution toward autonomy: - Selective sector development - Maintained safety nets during transition - Regional integration advancement - Innovation ecosystem nurturing - Sustainable prosperity emergence
"Realistic transformation," advocates planner Willy Bissainte. "Change without chaos, progress with protection."
Scenario 3: Radical Restructuring
Revolutionary economic change: - Rapid private sector expansion - Dramatic public spending reduction - Full regional integration - Technology-driven leapfrogging - High risk, high reward
"Sometimes revolution beats evolution," argues entrepreneur Steeve Tchicaya. "Gradual change might be too slow for climate timeline."