February 23, 2011, Issue 6

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

February 23, 2011, Issue 6 Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 1 Capital Weekly From the Heart of the Nation to the Soul of the People No. 006 Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Price: $1.00 Black Friday! Superbond Swallows $33 Million More! t struck again last every time it’s time to pay, find the money to service Friday, we will have a lot to say. the voracious Super Bond. Iand just like that, it This time though, we’ll “The semi-annual swallowed another 33 leave most of the talking to payment that was due last Million. No, we’re not a man who has no political Friday was in the amount talking about a giant shark. axe to grind. He’s telling it as of 16 Million US dollars We’re talking about a super it is; and he certainly knows (33 Million Belize) ,” the bond—the Super Bond! exactly what it is, as he is Financial Secretary informed. Some want us to forget it, the Financial Secretary, who “So, double that for the year namely those who created it; has the unenviable job of 2011, and we have to pay an but we can’t, we shouldn’t assisting the Prime Minister Joseph Waight average of 32 to 33 Million and we won’t forget. And, Financial Secretary and Minister of Finance to Continued on page 6 DFC gets money from CDF PM Barrow Signs Loan Agreement for US $3 Million See Story on Page 17 Prime Minister Dean Barrow signs for Belize CEO Lorne McDonnough signs for CDF Page 2 Capital Weekly Wednesday, February 23, 2011 The Consumer Protection Joke Editorial Don’t Laugh Out Loud! The War Has Just Begun! -Contributed immune to any of the Have you ever wondered why dominated the media circle over it is that most gas stations refuse to the last few weeks. I had a friend fleshly tendencies that sell a gallon of gas in a one gallon of mine call a local butane provider inherently accompany container, or who checks the meter to his home to pick up his gas absolute power. to ensure that it is accurate and that tank. The company truck came to consumers are not being short a pint pick up the tank half an hour later, For this reason and or two? How can you tell if you are he ordered $20.00 gas. About an the aforementioned—the being sold premium gas, and not hour later the truck returned with a regular, when you purchase it at the fact that the evil forces, driver and a helper, who installed gas station, or do you do a taste test the tank and left. Traditon, right? though battered and on the gas that has been pumped Let me tell you: wrong! The fact is divided, are bound to into your car? that my friend lives in the Belama How is it that Cable Companies Phase Two, which is approximately coalesce at some point who we all know illegally pirate 3 ½ miles from where the butane and in some form around signals from US Satellites, legally provider has its office and depot, so Delroy Cuthkelvin their unholy agenda— charge you a fee in Belize for we are talking a distance of 7 miles. Chairman, Editorial Board servicing your home with a signal If you were to add in the cost of the UDP would do well that has been illegally acquired? fuel, plus the service provided, plus he political to not bask too much in Do you ever wonder how it is the payment to the two workers, tell climate in Belize that you keep buying clothing and the glorious sunshine of me if you should have $20.00 worth these days is, foot wear at those exorbitant prices in pounds of butane in the tank and T sustained political fortune, at the local stores when the whole not an ounce less, and if so, which in our view, a very tricky but rather to keep itself country knows for a fact that what one of you “Business Saints” would one. From all indications, you are purchasing are actually want to run that company? It just grounded and girded as if “seconds”, clothing and footwear the PUP is extremely does not make any business sense. the real war is just about to that did not meet the standards If one were to take a taxi-cab to and weak and irreconcilably and are sold as junk (cheap by the begin, for indeed, it might from the same address it would cost divided, while the UDP manufacturers). How is it that a minimum of $14.00. just be. you , the consumers, pay name If I were to continue listing is exceedingly strong, A key factor in the brand prices for inferior products the massive irregularities and especially in the North which are labelled as such on the whole equation is, of outright crookedness within the where the PUP Leader custom entry; and why, after all so-called ‘Business Community in course, the predatory these decades, has no one found it Belize’ which mercilessly rapes the resides and runs. British Billionaire who has news worthy. Incidentally made in pockets of consumers, we would As we noted some the US does not mean made in the be writing a book. Sorry Jules, axes abundant to grind. U.S.A. weeks ago, without a strong you’ve scored no coup. Your job Grind he will, and when he There was a time when we has only just begun. So get up boy, opposition, even the best as a country ethically banded the grinds, money pours, not grab your camera and microphone of governments will tend importation of products and goods and let’s work off some more of by the penny, but by the from countries that allowed factories those pounds. (LOL). And to all to become complacent. pound. He did it before engaged in promoting forms of you ‘angels’ involved in business That’s just human nature. ‘slave labour’ to manufacture (in 1998) and he certainly in Belize, don’t act surprise and But the UDP would do well products. dumbfounded. Do ‘the Hollywood’ would like to do it again. Have you ever wondered why and just pretend to be concerned. to doggedly resist such This time, of course, cigarettes, which are stamped for Shhhhhh! tendencies and, in time of importation into the country, like the prospects (for him and Benson & Hedges, are actually the peace, so to speak, prepare the PUP) are not nearly imitation being sold legally at your Capital Weekly for war. local shops and supermarkets, and as promising. What’s From the Heart of the Nation how it is that no one said anything? Though weak and To the Soul of the People increased substantially, Who is making a killing from divided they might be, though, from then to selling imitation cigarette which is there is a very good reason been packaged in someone’s back- Published By: now, are the stakes. Back why the forces of evil are yard? Roots & Rhythm Ltd. then it was merely about The fact is that consumers in 15 Gibnut Street bound to coalesce, in some a company; this time it’s Belize have been taken for a ride for Belmopan form or fashion, in time for decades. Taking everyday Belizeans about an entire country, for a ride is called “business in the next general elections, about its very sovereignty Belize” and is considered the norm Editor & Business thereason being that the here. That is why there are so many and Sales Manager: and the soul of its people. stakes are simply too high. big businessmen and women who Wilbourne Cuthkelvin For the UDP, then, as are millionaires in this country. There is no doubt in our goes the old tried and Some of them have become so large Chairman mind that the UDP’s core that they sit on the board of directors tested adage, it’s better Editorial Board: philosophy has been and for the banks and other lending to be safe than sorry. A institutions. Many own majority Delroy Cuthkelvin will continue to be a noble battle or two, perhaps shares in our ‘piratized’, not and patriotic one. But like privatized, former national assets. Telephone: even three, might well be Frequently, they are members of 610-1284 any earthly being or human over, but the war has only the most ethical, church-attending organization, the UDP is Chamber of Commerce in Belize. just begun. Email: delcutvin@ Now let me come to whole neither incorruptible nor yahoo.com whoopla about butane that has Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Capital Weekly Page 3 Lee Mark Makes Big Move First Chinese-Belizean Standardbearer Party Leader Dean Hon. Barrow, Lee Mark Chang, Some of the Hundreds of Supportive Residents Hon. Patrick Faber and Hon. Anthony Martinez man who has caused this country of 15% on investment and/or the so much pain and sorrow. This waiver of taxes in default. By Vernon Cuthkelvin issues, the replacement of another present P.U.P Representative is And so; the history of representative due to the then un- the same man who with the stroke representation rocked with presidented public tongue-lashing of a poisoned pen signed-on to disgrace, upheaval, shame, The Belama Park was flooded he regularly delivered to his own the now infamous Settlement corruption and outright greed is by a sea of red t-shirts, pants, rags, at its end as Lee Mark Chang and hats and flags on Sunday February the U.D.P Committee have been 20th.
Recommended publications
  • Cyb Template 2012
    Belize another hurricane, Hurricane Dean, hit Belize KEY FACTS affecting the livelihoods of up to 2,500 Joined Commonwealth: 1981 families in the northern parts of the country. Population: 332,000 (2013) Environment: The most significant GDP p.c. growth: 2.0% p.a. 1990–2013 environmental issues are deforestation; water UN HDI 2014: World ranking 84 pollution from sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural run-off; and solid waste Official language: English disposal. Time: GMT minus 6 hrs Vegetation: Forest covers 61 per cent of the Currency: Belizean dollar (Bz$) land area and includes rainforest with mahoganies, cayune palms, and many Geography orchids. Higher in the mountains, pine forest Area: 22,965 sq km and cedar predominate. Arable land comprises three per cent of the land area. Coastline: 386 km Wildlife: There is a strong emphasis on Capital: Belmopan conservation. By 1992, 18 national parks and Belize forms part of the Commonwealth reserves had been established, including the Belizeans descend from Mayans, Caribs, and Caribbean, and is located in Central America, world’s only jaguar reserve. Other native the many groups who came as loggers, bordering Mexico to the north and species include ocelots, pumas, baboons, settlers, refugees, slaves and imported labour: Guatemala to the west and south. Of 13 howler monkeys, toucans and many species English, Spanish, Africans and East Indians. Commonwealth member countries in the of parrot. Americas, only Belize, Canada and Guyana lie According to the 2000 census, the on the mainland, three of the most sparsely Main towns: Belmopan (capital, pop. population comprises 49 per cent Mestizos populated countries in the association; all the 18,326 in 2014), Belize City (former capital (Maya-Spanish), 25 per cent Creoles (Afro- others are islands or archipelagos.
    [Show full text]
  • Unions Rally at Memorial Park GOB Tables New Proposals to Unions
    Tuesday, May 11, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1 NO. 3459 BELIZE CITY, TUESDAY, MAY 11, 2021 (16 PAGES) $1.00 Bondholders and GoB, no deal yet BELIZE CITY. Mon. May 10, 2021 Last week, a meeting scheduled between holders of Belize’s Super- GOB tables new bond and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Chris Coye, was proposals to unions canceled after the Creditor Committee’s representatives BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 10, 2021 indicated that the meeting would be A meeting between the Joint fruitless if Belize refuses to sign on Unions Negotiating Team and the to an IMF support plan. Government of Belize officials ended Please turn toPage 15 Please turn toPage 15 Abusive relationship ends in fatal arson by Dayne Guy St. Matthews Village, Cayo District, Mon, May 10, 2021 A mother and her 3-year-old son were reportedly burned to death in the village of St. Matthews when their home was set on fire. Her ex- common law husband is the prime suspect. According to police reports, this heinous act of arson-turned-murder occurred sometime before 11:00 o’clock on Friday night. The house of 36-year-old Kendra Middleton PM gets the jab was burnt to the ground, while she and her three-year-old child, Aiden Perez, were inside. They both perished. Unions rally at Memorial Park When firefighters arrived at the scene, the blaze had already Please turn toPage 14 Former George Street boss’s son murdered BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 10, 2021 organized resistance to salary cuts in by Dayne Guy On Friday, May 7, the members of the public sector.
    [Show full text]
  • Supreme Court Claim No. 376 of 2005
    IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BELIZE, A.D. 2005 CLAIM NO. 376 SAID MUSA Claimant BETWEEN AND ANN­MARIE WILLIAMS HARRY LAWRENCE REPORTER PRESS LIMITED Defendants __ BEFORE the Honourable Abdulai Conteh, Chief Justice. Mr. Kareem Musa for the claimant. Mr. Dean Barrow S.C. for the defendants. __ JUDGMENT Introduction Given the dramatis personae in this case which, by any account, contains an unusual cast, I had during the hearing constantly to remind myself that this was a trial of a claim in a court of law and not a political trial, whatever this may mean. On the one hand, is arrayed the Prime Minister and leader of one of the political parties (the PUP), who has his son as his attorney. Ranged on the other side is the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the other main political party (the UDP) as the attorney for the defendants of whom the second defendant, Mr. H. 1 Lawrence admitted, albeit, under cross examination, that he was a founding member of the UDP. Mr. Lawrence who struck me as an honest witness now says his newspaper, The Reporter, supports no political party and has no partisan agenda. However, given the persons involved in this case, the political overtones of the case could not be missed. However, I need hardly say that this is a court of law and the issues joined between the parties are to be decided only in accordance with the law and evidence, and nothing more and nothing less. 2. Mr. Said Musa, the claimant in this case, is the Prime Minister of Belize, the Area Representative of the Fort George Division in the House of Representatives, leader of the People’s United Party (PUP), one of the two main political parties in the country, as well as a member of the bar with the rank of a Senior Counsel.
    [Show full text]
  • 26Th March 2015, in the National Assembly Chamber, !Belmopan, at 10:18 AM
    !1 BELIZE ! No. HR26/1/11 ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES! th Thursday, 26 ! March, 2015 10:18! A.M ------! Pursuant to the Direction of Mr. Speaker on the 15th March 2015, the House met on Thursday, 26th March 2015, in the National Assembly Chamber, !Belmopan, at 10:18 AM. ! ! Members Present: The Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Speaker The Hon. Dean O. Barrow (Queen’s Square), Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development The Hon. Gaspar Vega (Orange Walk North), Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture The Hon. Erwin R. Contreras (Cayo West), Minister of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection The Hon. Patrick J. Faber (Collet), Minister of Education, Youth and Sports The Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. (Belize Rural South), Minister of Tourism and Culture The Hon. Anthony Martinez (Port Loyola), Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation The Hon. John Saldivar (Belmopan), Minister of National Security The Hon. Wilfred P. Elrington (Pickstock), Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs The Hon. Rene Montero (Cayo Central), Minister of Works and Transport The Hon. Pablo S. Marin (Corozal Bay), Minister of Health The Hon. Santino Castillo (Caribbean Shores), Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development The Hon. Hugo Patt (Corozal North), Minister of State in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture The Hon. Herman Longsworth (Albert), Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports The Hon. Mark King (Lake Independence), Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation The Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • 18Th Annual Report Office of Ombudsman March 2019.Pdf
    THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN’S EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................... 2 Letter to the Speaker, the House of Representatives ................................................... 3 Letter to the President, the Senate .................................................................................. 4 Ombudsman’s Message ................................................................................................... 5 Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 8 Complaints Investigation .............................................................................................. 11 Subject Matter .......................................................................................................................11 Authorities ............................................................................................................................18 Complainants .......................................................................................................................20 Investigation Status .............................................................................................................22 Collaboration, Meetings and Trainings ............................................................................23 Achievement of Other Key Programme Strategies and Objectives .............................29 General
    [Show full text]
  • Belize | Freedom House
    6/5/2020 Belize | Freedom House FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2020 Belize 86 FREE /100 Political Rights 35 /40 Civil Liberties 51 /60 LAST YEAR'S SCORE & STATUS 86 /100 Free Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale. See the methodology. https://freedomhouse.org/country/belize/freedom-world/2020 1/13 6/5/2020 Belize | Freedom House Overview Belize is a democracy that has experienced regular rotations of power through competitive elections. Civil liberties are mostly respected. Government corruption is a concern, as is the high rate of violent crime. Authorities have been slow to address persistent problems of police brutality and human trafficking within the country’s borders. Key Developments in 2019 In March, the opposition People’s United Party (PUP) filed a Supreme Court claim against Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dean Barrow and an aide, for allegedly spending $645 million from Petrocaribe without parliamentary authorization. The court heard the case in November, with a ruling due in January 2020. The US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report noted two new human trafficking prosecutions, the first in four years. A long-running border dispute with Guatemala remains unresolved. In March, three Guatemalan gun boats blocked a Belize Coast Guard patrol from accessing the Sarstoon River, which is part of Belizean territory. Political Rights A. Electoral Process A1 0-4 pts Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? 4 / 4 The prime minister, usually the leader of the largest party in the parliament, is head of government.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Economy Vs the Fishing Community
    Friday, June 25, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1 NO. 3470 BELIZE CITY, FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2021 (40 PAGES) $1.50 UDP coup de théâtre: Shyne ousts Patrick BELIZE CITY. Thurs. June 24, 2021 Barrow will now assume that role in The United Democratic Party has the House of Representatives after been steeped in uncertainty as back- being officially sworn in by the room conversations take place, Governor General today. various UDP members join different In a letter dated June 20, the self- party factions, and internal party proclaimed UDP “Chief Whip”, Hon. processes are triggered — all in an Shyne Barrow sent a letter to H.E. effort to determine the leadership of Froyla Tzalam, in which he invoked the party. On Monday evening there section 47 (5) of the Belize was another unexpected twist in the Constitution, which provides for plot when Hon. Shyne Barrow, the members of the Opposition to oust recently elected area representative their leader if he or she no longer of the Mesopotamia division and son enjoys the support of the majority of of former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. the Opposition members. Dean Barrow, was declared the new Leader of the Opposition. Hon. Please turn toPage 38 Robbery turned murder Man drowns after in St. Margaret’s falling into well Blue Economy vs the Artie Hall is believed to have suffered fishing community a seizure before falling to his death CAYO DISTRICT, Thurs. June 23, 2021 SAN ANTONIO, Corozal District, Yesterday, a man was killed near the Bird Walk community Wed. June 23, 2021 during a robbery carried out by This morning, tragedy struck the by Dayne Guy 6 armed men.
    [Show full text]
  • Saldivar's Splendid Debate Performance
    Monday, March 5, 2012 Capital Weekly Page 1 CapitalCapital FromFromWeekly Weekly thethe HeartHeart ofof thethe NationNation toto thethe SoulSoul ofof thethe PeoplePeople No. 024 Monday, March 5, 2012 Price: $1.00 BIG John! Saldivar’s Splendid Debate Performance t was another good playing politics with the issue in night for Plus TV, an- what he described as a character- other great opportu- istically PUP fashion. He com- nity for the residence pared and equated it with one of of Belmopan,I and a big night for former PUP leader Said Musa’s UDP incumbent John Saldivar. disingenuous moments back in It was the debate among 1998 when he promised to abol- the three general election can- ish the Value Added Tax (VAT) didates vying for the position of if elected, but failing to indicate Belmopan Area Representative what he would put in its place. now vacant since the Prime Min- When Musa got elected, Saldivar ister advised the Governor Gen- recounted, all he did was to bring eral to dissolve the National As- back the same tax (VAT), only by sembly one month ago and set the a different name. In like manner, election date for March 7, 2012. Saldivar drew he parallel, Hegar Like the mayoral debate is now promising to disband held a couple weeks earlier, the RECONDEV, but neglecting to event was organized by Belmo- say what he would replace it with. pan-based national television Hegar’s response was ex- station Plus TV, broadcast live on ceedingly weak, in fact, hardly that station, and hosted by its pop- audible, let alone comprehen- ular morning show hosts Louis sible.
    [Show full text]
  • New Year- New Mandate
    Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Capital Weekly Page 1 No. 044 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Online Publication NEW YEAR- NEW MANDATE Extraordinaryhankful, Truthful, and thatOpportunity we see our way clear - Extraordinary Results Realistic, Reassur- to another successful year.” ing and Optimistic Speaking candidly of – that is how we must the challenges, he informs Tsummarize and characterize that the reduction in PetroCa- Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s ribe flows is perhaps the most New Year’s Message for 2016. pronounced, and that this The Prime Minister combined with the dizzying starts out recounting the na- fall in oil prices, we expect to tion’s blessings in 2015, having get much less from these Ven- been spared from hurricanes ezuela loan funds than we did and social upheaval, and hav- in 2015. In fact, he noted, the ing as he puts it, “steered our 2015 intake was already only way through the complexi- half of 2014. “This, combined ties of the relationship with with the drying up of earn- Guatemala; and politically we ings from our own petroleum capped everything with the exports, will put a severe crimp peaceful and historic gen- in Government revenues,” the eral elections of November.” Prime Minister admits. It is be- Turning to economics, cause of this, the fact that pay- the Prime Minister notes that ments on the Superbond will despite the challenges pre- have to be stepped up, and the sented by disease and the long inevitability of the Compensa- drought, which played havoc tion Award for the acquisition with shrimp and grains, and an of vital public utilities, that earlier than expected decrease the Government has had to in the export price of sugar, the raise the duty on fuel imports, productive sector performed the Prime Minister explains.
    [Show full text]
  • Patrick and Plus Lose First Round
    Sunday, July 7, 2013 Capital Weekly Page 1 CapitalCapitalCapital FromFFromromWeeklyWeekly Weekly thethe HeartHeart ofof thethe NationNationNation to toto the thethe SoulSoul Soul ofof of thethe the PeoplePeople People No. 035 Sunday, July 7, 2013 Price: $1.00 Full Report on Public Service Awards and Luncheon Making Waves in London Prime Minister Barrow Concludes Official Visit rime Minister and investor strategy with re- Hon. Dean Barrow lation to the Sugar Industry. has just conclud- Throughout his visit, PM ed an official vis- Barrow proved himself to be it Pto London along with his an impressive statesman, but wife, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow. where he made his greatest im- It was, by all accounts, a pact was his appearance on the very successful trip. Mrs Bar- media, namely BBC and Sky row, for her part, raised in a News. On Sky News the PM el- gala event over 200,000 Belize oquently, insightfully and with Dollars for the construction of great poise discussed a range of a Pediatric Intensive Car Center issues including the Ashcroft Unit at the KHMH. The Prime factor; Finance, Banking and Minister got the opportunity to Taxes; Foreign Relations; Man- meet with very influential per- dela, Demographics and Race. sonalities like such as Secre- His London visit has no tary of State Rt. Hon. William doubt had its practical ben- Prime Minister Dean Barrow appearing on Sky News in London Hague and the Right Honorable efits, but in addition to that, Lord Mayor of the City of Lon- ing Belize trade and investment. ited the Tate and Lyle/Amer- the Prime Minister, by the way don, Alderman Roger Gifford.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hayward Charitable Belize Trust Media Release
    THE HAYWARD CHARITABLE BELIZE TRUST MEDIA RELEASE 8 December 2009 Notice of Arbitration onder the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Belize for the Promotion and Protection of IDvestmenq dated 30 April 1982 The Hayward Charitable Belize Trust (Hayward) wishes to infonn the public that on 4 December 2009 its subsidiary, Dunkeld International Investment Ltd. (Dookeld) commenced arbitration proceedings against the Government of Belize' (the Government). These proceedings were commenced under the Arbitration Rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and in accordance with an international agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government for the Promotion and Protection of Investments dated 30 April J982 (the Treaty). Dunkeld alleges that the Government has breached several obligations which the Government owed to Dunkeld under the Treaty. In general terms, Dunkeld alleges that the Government has unlawfully expropriated Dunkeld's investment in Belize Telemedia Limited (Telemedia) and has failed to treat Dunkeld fairly and equitably. In order for the public to be infonned properly, DunkeJd's Notice of Arbitration is attached. Prior to the nationalisation of Telemedia on 25 August 2009, Dunkeld was the beneficial owner of approximately 69% of the shares in Telemedia. Dunkeld is a company established in the Turks and Caicos Islands and is an investor protected by the Treaty as a result of an exchange of notes between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government extending investment protection to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The exchange of notes was signed on behalf of the Government of Belize in 1985 by the current Prime Minister of Belize, Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Big Game, Small Town Clientelism and Democracy in the Modern Politics of Belize (1954 to 2011)
    Big Game, Small Town Clientelism and Democracy in the Modern Politics of Belize (1954 to 2011) Dylan Gregory Vernon A thesis submitted to University College London in candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Caribbean and Latin American Politics from the Institute of the Americas, University College London 2013 Declaration I, Dylan Gregory Vernon, confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in my thesis. Dylan Gregory Vernon 2 Abstract Presenting Belize as an illustrative and critical case of clientelist democracy in the Commonwealth Caribbean, this thesis explores the origins of clientelist politics alongside the pre-independence birth of political parties, analyses its rapid expansion after independence in 1981 and assesses its implications for democratic governance. Based on qualitative research, including interviews with major political leaders, the thesis contends that, despite Belize’s positive post- colonial reputation for consolidating formal democracy, the concurrent expansion of clientelism, as both an electoral strategy and a mode of participation, ranks high among the worrying challenges affecting the quality of its democracy. Although intense party competition in a context of persistent poverty is central to explaining the trajectory of clientelism in Belize, the Westminster model of governance, the disappearance of substantive policy distinctions among parties and the embrace of neoliberal economic policies fuelled its expansion. Small- state size and multi-ethnicity have also been contributing factors. Even though the thousands of monthly dyadic transactions in constituencies are largely rational individual choices with short-term distributive benefits, the thesis concludes that, collectively, these practices lead to irrational governance behaviour and damaging macro-political consequences.
    [Show full text]