Helping hurts.
By helping the infrastructure of the island develop, the implication is that the infrastructure will simply allow the exploitation of the island of its resources. So in this case, like so many others, it seems impossible to decide whether anything will help at all, or if the island is doomed because evil people will inevitably exploit the island.
The irony of political division
On one hand, the Bourne Island residents want globalization, because the difficulty of life on the island is harsh, and new people mean new economies, and potentially, the island could become less dependent on sugar if they accept world tourism. However, on the other hand, they'll have to betray their historical interests as oppressed peoples to allow such a trade to exist, and again, they will be like a resource to foreign businesses, instead of growing their own economy. So ironically, there seems not to be a clear answer politically, which makes people polarized, with the Bournehills being avidly opposed to development.
The irony of colonialism
Instead of showing the colonialism that is often taught to 4th graders in America, the novel shows the real thing. Colonialism was an attempt to settle the world as Rome settled Europe. Yes, this would mean progress for world nations, but it also meant genocide, slavery, and unbridled, brutal mistreatment. This is what Cuffee Ned represents to the people of Bournehills. He represents their unflinching commitment to remembering the true evil of European colonialism.
The irony of island life
Basically, island life is very difficult, and resources are plentiful, but so is competition. When global powers show up and discover a new nation like Bourne Island for instance, it's easy to win that competition and rid the island of balance. So, it is the case, as the novel argues, that most of the time, islands become quickly impoverished and dependent on tourism.
The irony of the majority
In the novel, much like in real life, only a few people ever understand the fundamental principles of what's really going on. This is shown brilliantly by the division of the West against East on the island. The Eastern side of the island is committed to moral and ethical treatment, and to justice, but to the majority, they seem literally insane. Ironically, the voices of justice in the novel are mostly unheard by the majority.
