In the land of Antigua & Barbuda, where all is not as it
seems, there are striking and remarkable similarities to Alice in
Wonderland.
Rather than fictional, though, the undercurrents, events and
effects in Antigua & Barbuda are far more real and
consequential.
Much like Wonderland, Antigua & Barbuda has its own
vocabulary and definitions.
For example, the word "expropriation", recognised by
the rest of the English-speaking world as "seizure or
dispossession of private property by a government", is not in
favour.
It is replaced by "compulsory acquisition".
Of course, the vocabulary lesson continues,
"acquisition" does not necessarily entail payment for the
"acquired" property. It can be a magical transfer of
title and ownership, with all its derivative rights and
opportunities, from a Company to the Crown, which can, when
convenient, be used interchangeably with The Government of Antigua
and Barbuda.
