14 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries
Gobierno, pobreza y corrupción en Haití. Reflexiones críticas sobre dos programas sociales, fuga de cerebros y países de destino
LINDOR, Moïse*†
El Colegio de Tlaxcala
ID 1st Author: Moïse, Lindor / ORC ID: 0000-0002-6656-4306, CVU CONACYT ID: 311158
DOI: 10.35429/JSR.2019.15.5.14.34 Received March 20, 2019; Accepted June 30, 2019
Abstract Resumen
This article aims to make a critical analysis of the Este artículo pretende hacer un análisis crítico del performance of the last Haitian governments as well as desempeño de los últimos gobiernos haitianos así como the factors that contribute to the rise of extreme poverty los factores que contribuyen en el auge de la pobreza in the country. It shows that corruption has a role in the extrema en el país. Se demuestra que la corrupción tiene violation of human rights, extreme poverty and social un papel en la violación de los derechos humanos, la segregation, socioeconomic inequality, institutional pobreza extrema y segregación social, la desigualdad mistrust and the lack of productivity of work whose socioeconómica, la desconfianza institucional y la falta situation results in the massive displacement and the de productividad de trabajo cuya situación tiene como brain drain of Haitians, although remittances remain the consecuencia el desplazamiento masivo y la fuga de main economic source of families but also influence the cerebros de los haitianos, aunque las remesas siguen national economy. Similarly, the impact of the two main siendo la principal fuente económica de las familias pero social programs for combating poverty is questioned. At también influyen en la economía nacional. De igual the end of the work, the results of the research carried out manera, se cuestiona el impacto de los dos principales in northeast and northwest, as well as the countries most programas sociales para el combate de la pobreza. Al wanted by this group of Haitians to migrate, are final del trabajo, se presentan los resultados de la presented. As a qualitative research, the focus groups investigación realizada en Noreste y Noroeste, así como methodology was used to gather information, perception los países más deseados por este grupo de haitianos para and evaluate the study instrument. As a result, a semi- migrar. Por lo tanto, se utilizó la metodología de los structured survey was used using a questionnaire with grupos de enfoque para recopilar información, la open and half open questions, and a structured technique percepción y evaluar el instrumento del estudio. En as a tool for evaluating and compiling research data. consecuencia, se usó una encuesta semiestructurada Also, the participant observation allowed us to mediante un cuestionario con preguntas abiertas y semi understand the daily life and the attitude of the abiertas, y una técnica estructurada como herramienta interviewees. para evaluar y recopilar los datos de la investigación. Asimismo, la observación participante nos permitió Extrem poverty, Government, Brain drain, Migratory comprender la vida cotidiana y la actitud los flow entrevistados.
Pobreza extrema, Gobierno, Fuga de cerebros, Flujo migratorio
Citation: LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019, 5-15: 14-34
*Correspondence to Author (email: [email protected]) †Researcher contributing first author.
©ECORFAN-Republic of Nicaragua www.ecorfan.org/republicofnicaragua
14 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
Introduction Unfortunately, corruption, impunity, and incongruous public policies are a plague for In the region, socio conflicts and bad collective well-being. For example, a public governance are some events that literally reduce policy explaining the weakness of governments the ability of competition and productivity of is the massive importation of first-need any nation. Similarly, structural problems, products that completely destroys agricultural extreme poverty, inequalities, corruption, production and the local economy because violation of rights and freedom of individuals, domestic production remains neglected and lack of administrative ethics and incoherent Little interest to the authorities, therefore there public policies are some of the effects of poor is no productivity to compete and export performance of a government. These factors products in greater quantity. influence the democratic process and respect for human dignity. As a result, 4 billion imports are recorded at 2016. The increase in agricultural In this regard, should we consider that imports also follows an exponential curve in democracy is under threat and human rights are Haiti. The country imports rice, sugar and almost non-existent in the region? It is chicken chunks ($70 million); Palm oil (60 emphasized that sociopolitical circumstances million); 110 million cooking oil; $20 million and the violation of human rights weaken the cube broth. This is about $1 billion in holistic development of the Haitian nation for agricultural products and derivatives. On the several decades. However, the task becomes other hand, only agricultural products and more difficult when intimidating, derivatives are exported for a value of $60 discriminatory and manipulative actions come million. While more than a billion dollars are together with impunity to negatively impact the produced in agricultural products in Haiti (Le possibilities and dreams to live in a safe and Nouvelliste, 2016). But what can be said about adequate environment, where the vast majority business management and international trade of Residents do not have the same opportunities policy? We recall that the objectives of an to meet their basic needs, in a dignified and international trade policy are summarized in: permanent way. While the state should aspire to improving the distribution of income and trust and respect the rights of each member of standard of living of a population. society, ensuring not only their freedom of expression and effective public service benefits Strengthen the development of the but also creating strategies for responding to internal market. Comply with the international their difficulties in avoiding the migration flow commitments entered into. Another outstanding and the brain drain for lack of opportunities. challenge for the fight against poverty, inequality and corruption is the establishment A look at the displacement of Haitians to the of an impartial judicial system to strictly US and Latin America. Causes and effects enforce the laws and norms. Without overlooking the shortage of electricity, bad Similarly, it can be noted immediately that roads that impede the arrival of food products extreme poverty in Haiti not only refers to a on time but purchasing power also affects food chronic socioeconomic problem but describes basket, health, education and other public the social injustice and lack of commitment of services due to the Lack of employment the authorities, to generate significant changes opportunities and good government in favor of the groups vulnerable in terms of management for survival. Which is obviously a fundamental rights and freedoms. violation of human rights. Unfortunately, the authorities are unable to improve the vulnerable conditions, respect and For this reason, human rights offer tools enfoce the human rights of the population. to analyse causes such as inequalities, More than ever, a responsible government is discriminatory practices and unfair power indispensable and committed to the basic relations in society. In other words, respect for necessities of the inhabitants, therefore the human rights is the mirror that shows the true design of public policies of sustainable face of a society and the ability of its development and productivity are fundamental representatives to lead the people. including the awareness of each actor social.
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 15 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
In this sense, the lack of opportunities In 2015, there were 676.000 Haitian and the migratory flow allow us to understand immigrants in the United States, compared to the desperation and the disagreements to the 587.000 in 2010; Haitians represent less than 2 conditions in which the citizens live that percent of the U.S.-born foreign population perceive an increase of extreme poverty and More than 58.000 Haitian immigrants already insecurity but these factors express Also the in the United States before the 2010 earthquake most severe disapproval of citizens towards have been granted temporary protection status their rulers. Similarly, democratic principles (TPS), which grants work authorization and and human rights continually encourage deportation exemption. everyone not to consider the poor as second- world citizens but as human beings with a right Table 1 shows that the Haitian to a dignified life, and all human beings are immigrant population tripled during the period equal. Unfortunately, we are faced with a 1990-2015. It should be mentioned that in the reality so sensitive and complex where year 2015 the immigration authorities of the insecurity, hunger, social exclusion and labor United States have placed the Haitians in the disintegration force Haitians, Central fourth largest group of the Caribbean, after the Americans and Africans to move out of their Cuban immigrants, Dominicans and Jamaicans place of residence in search of sleep American, (Schulz and Batalova, 2017). particularly. So, fear of the future, wars, violence, lack of opportunity and Homepathy1 Number of Haitian immigrants Year are the main causes of forced migration. 92,000 1980 225,000 1990 419,000 2000 According to (Schulz and Batalova, 2017): 587,000 2010 676,000 2015 In recent decades, the United States has become the main destination with a significant Table 1 Population of Haitian immigrants in the United increase in Haitian immigrants. Indeed States during the period 1990-2015 Source: author’s elaboration with data from the U.S. displacement has evolved in a vertiginous way Census Bureau 2010 and 2015 US Community Surveys considering that only 5,000 Haitians lived in (ACS), and 10-year census of 1980, 1990 and 2000 the United States in 1960, Haitian immigrants began to arrive in large numbers after the The above data show how troubling collapse of the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Haitian immigration is. Mass displacement Duvalier to late 1980s. Beyond political carries with it the hope, the social and cultural instability, endemic poverty and natural development of the communities, although disasters, including a devastating 2010 remittances remain the potential economic earthquake, have driven migration to the source in the Haitian population for several United States, often by boat. decades as mentioned previously, where the Immigrants become heroes of families.
As Altamirano said:
Although many governments see the emigration of their workers as a result of a failure of their political and economic systems, 1This term is created by the author of this article. According to him, the Homepathy or Patriopatía is the suffering, hatred, fear the migration of human capital is beneficial in and other psychological illnesses that the place of origin the medium and long term. The migrant has provokes due to the social and structural problems, which become a little nationalist and patriotic, who affects the personal, emotional well-being and the competence of resources human. It is noted that many citizens who leave abandons his family and his people, to be a their homeland, perform better, confirm their talents and get national hero, not only for his courage to pass many successes because the management of talent in their a dangerous frontier, if it is irregular, but to country is almost non-existent. Instead, those who remain, usually suffer from psychosomatic illnesses such as: chronic survive in another culture, in addition, to frustrations, typical depressive episodes, feeling inferiority, contribute to the macro, meso and micro acute conscious, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and acts, or economy of his country by being responsible for autoaggressions, general hatred (personal, society and fatherland), among other symptoms. Those who despise their the second most significant income for the country demonstrate their dispossessions through negative country after the export of oil and before expressions or inappropriate actions in and out of the territory. tourism, export agriculture and industry (2009, Few return to live in their home country for fear, hatred and lack of opportunity. p.57). ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 16 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
In the same way, remittances have “In 2016, tens of thousands of Haitians helped local and family development in certain and Africans were detained by immigration countries. Legrain (2002, p. 165) quoting from authorities while heading north to reach the Altamirano (2009, p. 57) states: U.S.-Mexico border. The following is the population of Haitian immigrants in the United Sub-Saharan migrants send the sixth States between 2011 and 2015” (Metzner, part of their income to their families. This 2014). amount far exceeds all family income and their home tribes. The money sent is destined for Metropolitan Area Population % of the of Haitian population family consumption, which at the same time immigrants in the metropolita dynamizes the economy by encouraging local, n area regional and national production. It is also Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm 213,000 3.6% Beach, FL intended for employment by allowing salaries New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ- 165,000 0.8% to those who have not migrated, and therefore PA benefits the locals. Today, countries like Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 47,000 1.0% Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL 33,000 1.4% Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 14,000 0.3% energized their local economies thanks to Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA- 13,000 0.2% remittances from oil countries. NJ-DE-MD Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL 10,000 3.0% Bridgepost-Stamford-Norwalk,CT 9,000 0.9% The truth is that if it were not Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater 7,000 0.3% remittances, the Haitian population could Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL 7,000 1.1% experience the same starving situation as some Table 2. Population of Haitian immigrants in the United African countries. Therefore, we agree with States during the period 2011-2015. Altamirano (2009, p. 58) "These migrants are Source: author’s elaboration with MPI tabulation of the such heroes who, in addition, with their daily data of the U.S. Census Bureau period 2011-2015. hard work, their knowledge, specializations and ethics make the country of destination benefit According to the data presented by and can be sustainable in its welfare system; Schulz and Batalova (2017), median family Because migrants pay their taxes in these aged income for Haitians in 2015 was lower than that countries that each year include more and more of the general population born abroad, but retirees. " greater than for migrant households in the Caribbean. Households of Haitian immigrants Also, the largest Haitian migrant had a median income of $47,200 in 2015, population settled in the United States, also in compared to $51,500 for foreign-born Miami, Florida there is a large community households and $42,400 for households in the called "Little Haiti", where some streets bear Caribbean. By way of comparison, median the names of certain heroes of the Haitian income for native-headed households was nation, for example: Toussaint Louverture, $56.500. Similarly, in fiscal year 2015, 17.000 Jean-Jacques Dessalines, among others. Haitians obtained legal permanent resident According to Schulz and Batalova (2017), status (LPR) (also known as obtaining a Green "Between 2011 and 2015, Florida and New card), according to national Security York were home to almost 70% of Haitians. Department data. Of these, 91 percent did so as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or other Counties with the highest number of family-sponsored preferences (50% and 41%, Haitians were Miami-Dade county, FL; respectively). Broward County, FL; Kings County, NY; and Palm Beach County, FL. Overall, these In 2015, 57% of the 676.000 Haitians counties accounted for about 44% of Haiti's residing in the United States were naturalized total population in the United States. In 2015, citizens, compared to 48% of all immigrants. there is a significant number of 329.000 Similar to the total immigrant population, 54% Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, of Haitian immigrants arrived in the United Canada (93.000 Haitians), France (74.000 States before 2000, 30% reached between 2000 Haitians) and the Bahamas (28.000 Haitians). and 2009, and 16% in 2010 or later, including “The massive displacement is noticed after the those who arrived after the 2010 earthquake. earthquake of 2010, by the number of Haitians who emigrate to Brazil and Chile in search of work. ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 17 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
Finally, the Haitian diaspora in the Wealth and public goods are dealt with United States is made up of approximately 1.1 in a dissimilar way and the general interests million people born in Haiti or reported to have become remain individual; As much as citizens Haitian ancestry, according to the tabulations of try to solve their problems by their own means, the U.S. Census Bureau 2015 ACS. Similarly, lack of opportunities and economic pressure remittances sent to Haiti through formal lead them to make drastic decisions to meet the channels have multiplied almost four times basic needs of their homes, in search of since 2000, reaching $2.3 billion in 2015, determining mechanisms for change their according to World Bank data. Global lifestyle, protect both the privileges and remittances account for 25% of the country's interests that the Constitution and the gross domestic product (GDP). Haitians living Declaration of Human Rights bestow on them, in the United States sent more than half of all such as ensuring self-efficiency and family remittances to Haiti, for a total of $1.3 billion in economic growth. From there, armed conflicts, 2015. the creation of criminal gangs and the repetitive and violent protests of some have arisen. It is In the same way, Haiti has a great therefore imperative that the welfare state is history and an attractive culture. Its rich characterized mainly by the inclusion of social gastronomy and delightful beaches were rights, by claiming a certain level of income recognized internationally. For several decades, and access to health, education and other social however, structural problems and misery services. expose the country to an unprecedentedly difficult socioeconomic situation. Therefore, Therefore, Pérez & Valencia (2007, p. Democratic problems and socioeconomic 141) affirms that the public authorities are inequality are visible and deter human well- actively involved in the promotion of social being. Extreme poverty, socioeconomic rights through the support of welfare and social inequality, corruption and the violation of security institutions in order to cope with the human rights are closely related and become a vital risks (elderly, unemployment, sickness, threat to the proper functioning of Haitian poverty, among others). society. Similarly, these factors and others significantly impact human dignity and Related to the foregoing, the application democratic processes; In the same way, of democratic principles and specific public consternation and desperation oblige the policies lead to issues of distribution of power prepared and less qualified citizens to flee their to qualified people, which also implies securing country of origin in search of a better life, in skills between women and men and short the justified brain drain. counteracting conflicting and unequal situations of any kind to reach and exercise power; As It should be mentioned that not only well as creating political strategies and social Haitians live this deplorable situation, we have actions that respond to the social needs of the the concrete and current example of the caravan population. of Central Americans mainly Hondurans in the Mexican territory in the hope of crossing the For this reason, the democratic U.S.-Mexico border. It is perceived that these government is obliged to resolve the problems migrants leave their place of origin because of and expectations of all the inhabitants; To give the discriminatory events, violences and lack of concrete results to the popular emergency such opportunities. as food sovereignty, safety, health and education for all, better public service benefits, Diagnosis of governance, welfare state, agricultural savings and credit system, democracy and social rights in Haiti technological innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the respect for the free vote of the In reality democratization should limit power population without exception. and rise up against inequality. In a country where the same rulers generate social Therefore, the Government must ensure inequalities for lack of political ethics to the the active participation of all voters to freely place of working for the common good, this is elect their representatives but also to respect unacceptable. and enforce their decisions expressed in their vote.
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 18 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
It is understood that elections do not Similarly Pérez & Valencia said: become a democratic society, but that there are free elections because society is democratic. "The constitutionalization of social Likewise, free and democratic elections also do rights represents a step forward in shaping a not guarantee the eradication of socioeconomic more just and free society, because there is no inequalities and extreme poverty but the freedom without equality and justice. Similarly, implementation of public policies that respond the process of economic slowdown that leads to to the real needs of the inhabitants in terms of the social crisis (unemployment, inequality, Improving living standards, creating social and segmentation of the labour market, mutations labour opportunities, public safety, equitable and rupture of the social fabric (breakdown of justice, respect for human rights and social, community and institutional relations) fundamental freedoms, equality, gender equity That certain industrialized and developing and non-discrimination are some of the countries live. These facts are known as the characteristics of a democratic government. welfare state crisis, the consequences of which Certainly, good governance does not overlook are: the state's fiscal crisis and the financial concrete actions for a fairer and more equitable problems of the Social Security System "(2007, society, which is why it manages to fight p. 142). Similarly, the welfare state corruption, works for the thorough observance corresponds to the whole of State institutions of human rights and related regulatory providing social policies aimed at improving provisions with environmental protection, living conditions, facilitating the integration of preservation of genetic biodiversity and citizen social groups, leveling and equalizing – and civil protection. although not homogenizing – Its material resources (2007, pp. 143-144). For this reason, democratic governance feeds social and economic policies that address As a result, corrupt governments are a the needs and aspirations of its people, they are threat to the emancipation and strengthening of aligned to eradicate poverty, expand and take democratic societies and collective well-being. advantage of the opportunities that are Socioeconomic inequalities impact the process presented without harming the development For of democratization, well-being and human future generations, therefore, sustainable dignity, and their direct effects are: extreme regional development. Therefore democratic poverty, social conflict, violence, migratory governance is the process of creating and flow and brain drain. In this sense, public maintaining an environment for inclusive policies implemented through many angles political agreements and processes that protect allow us to issue a critical analysis of the interests of citizens (UN, 2015). socioeconomic retardation, inequalities, political and institutional constraints in Haiti. While it can be said that democracy is not only the right to vote, but goes beyond In the same way, it is noticed the electoral processes because it is also the emergence of establishing and combining Government's obligation to ensure that the basic mechanisms and strategies to improve the needs of the population are met through the precarious conditions to avoid the brain drain. implementation of actions congruent In view of this, equality of opportunity and sociopolitical, as mentioned above. On the respect for fundamental ethical rights and contrary, the malicious political attitudes principles are key to the promotion of the recorded in recent years discourage urban and welfare state and the reduction of a complex rural people, as well as indigenous peoples and growing set of sociocultural problems that from various developing countries to rely on have led to Forced and massive displacement, certain candidates and rulers, nor in credible therefore, have brought the worries and the fear and transparent electoral processes. According to continue living in an unjust, unsafe and to Peralta-Varela (2014), democracy is more unproductive society, which will be than a set of conditions to choose and be entertaining social citizenship and participatory elected; It implies a way of organizing society democracy, which are part of the development in order to satisfy social needs, while ensuring of the state of Welfare. and expanding the rights of which citizens are carriers "(p. 66).
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 19 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
With regard to the task of Governments We also agree with Bobbio (1986) when to ensure social protection and respect for the he stated that "false promises and unforeseen social rights of the population and referring to obstacles have not been able to transform a the welfare state, Pérez & Valencia (2007) democratic regime into an autocratic regime" states: (p. 45). Similarly, Peralta-Varela (2014, pp. 38- 39) points out that "if political institutions are The equality of citizens ' rights, and considered vehicles of perpetuating inequalities, especially those directly related to the basic or promoters of the interests of groups of well-being of people, has made bearable the minority actors, democracy is mined and inequalities of wealth generated by capitalist conditions are created for the collapse of the systems and has mitigated the social conflicts state [...] The realities of poverty and exclusion that Inherently carry... Therefore, the welfare linked to the inequitable distribution of wealth state has been an integral element of societies converge in the search for solutions to social and established organic bonds with production, problems by means of the intervention of the reproduction and consumption. Likewise, it has Society in public affairs. This need for two objectives at the same time: on the one participation that would contribute to the hand to guarantee a continuous economic distribution and tends to avoid the increase of growth by means of promoting the increase of social conflicts, should encourage the opening consumption, and of another, to establish a of spaces of interaction between government guarantee of minimums of social protection to and society to identify problems, dialogue and the whole population (pp. 144-149). jointly agree forms of care. "
Yet peoples often fail to reprove Depending on the foregoing, the politicians, judges, and other representatives of importance of productive factors, state various national sectors for their poor intervention in the economy, productivity, performance. In short, their corrupt acts and institutional and political ethics, the egalitarian unfulfilled promises after the election provoke redistribution of public benefits or services and only public mistrust and despair in the crunchy the integration of Labour market, to guarantee a communities. We agree with Peralta-Varela process of continuous growth, and in the same (2014) that “democratic governance systems way to prevent the massive displacement, the have a very long history, through which their brain drain and the social conflicts caused by legitimacy and efficacy have been questioned." the lack of opportunities and the unequal levels At present, efficiency is linked to the ability to of income. Therefore, the welfare or social state generate better participation but, above all, is essentially characterized by the inclusion of greater quality of life in the population in need, social rights, which are the basis of social specifically in the countries considered to be in citizenship. Social rights, rights to claim a the process of development.”(p. 17). On the certain level of income and access to health and other hand, UNDP stated that: other social services have become a fundamental part of social constitutionalism Democratic governance is a central (Pérez & Valencia, 2007, p. 151). element of human development, because through politics and not just the economy, it is In this sense, social rights are possible to generate more equitable conditions synonymous with equal opportunities to and increase people's choices. To the extent achieve goals and/or meet basic needs from a that democracy makes possible the dialogue perspective of continuous growth of the that includes the different social groups and as individual and the collectivity. So, the curse of long as the public institutions are strengthened the people is the deception of political parties and more efficient, it will be possible to achieve that always promise social and political changes the Millennium Development Goals, especially through programs that match social demands. with regard to reducing the Poverty. In this In the end, social rights remain crushed, social sense, democracy is the propitious framework cohesion and public security almost non- for opening up spaces for political and social existent, the legitimacy of corruption, misery, participation, especially for those who suffer and widespread violence, in short an absent the most: the poor and ethnic and cultural state. Minorities (2004, p. 23).
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 20 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
We must be well aware that the people It is a misguided, arbitrary, and grant political power to their representatives via dangerous tendency for certain "democratic" universal suffrage, likewise, representatives rulers who think that the fact of having political should prioritize the common good of all power automatically means having the absolute communities, without exception, from the power to decide on the future of the population Roense theory that emphasizes the consent of without prior consultation; To have their the people who grant the power of sovereignty. wealth, often in order to make a fortune, until In the same way, Roa2 quoted in Belloso (2008) they have the right to decide on who deserves to mentioned that: live or die. To this effect, public servants must be sure that the way of exercising political The Kings and rulers are thus, power and unethical attitudes can be punished constituted by the people, moved by divine by the same citizens, who are the first defenders inspiration. And it is precisely the freedom of of public interests and a democratic system of man and the divine concession where he the government. sustains the foundation of why people can choose their own rulers and kings. He believes With reference to the above, unfulfilled that this is very convenient and in accordance expectations of politicians during electoral with the natural law, because individuals do not periods to persuade voters intensify distrust and always conform to the opinion of the straight end progressively in the hope of many who flee reason, unless they are directed by a warlord their place of origin by the socioeconomic and who is supported by the community and political instability. It is audible that true sufficiently endowed by nature. This is how the democracy aims to seek and achieve the well- righteous ruler of the vulgar people can be being of all inhabitants, with justice and full differentiated, in which the most frequent thing freedom. To what is mentioned here, it is not is to find greed without limits and ignorance (p. worthwhile to see almost 80% of Haitians who 692).3 are in situations of extreme poverty where women, rural girls and the elderly are the most According to Bouza-Brey (1991) vulnerable groups. It should be mentioned that "Politics is the activity of management, the two Haitian departments with the highest management and integration of social proportion of chronic poor are the northeast and situations, an activity without which social northwest, later we'll touch this point more situations do not exist. Political power, deeply. therefore, performs these functions for society, and when it does not, or society disappears and In view of this, political and social political power collapses, or political power is actors are encouraged to continue to strive to replaced by another to avoid social change the sociopolitical landscape of the decomposition... The realization of this activity world's first independent black Republic. It is of government by the political power is a undeniable to begin to consider ethical values, response to projects, problems and social civic education, the culture of legality, austerity demands, and the adoption of decisions and in the public service and respect for human execution of actions in which this action of rights which are a few elements for good Government consists produces some results in governance. According to UN (2016), the the society, that facilitate a change of the social problems of governance in Haiti and the situation and in a transformation of the projects, violation of women's human rights should be problems and initial demands. “(pp. 132-134). addressed.
In this sense, social and political power Gender equality, extreme poverty and brain come together to resolve socioeconomic and drain. Proposal for an alternative economic environmental issues. Therefore, the people do method and organizational policy not grant sovereignty to the elect to act as they want. This is where the essence of access to According to the Inter-American Institute for information, transparency and accountability of Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) (2007), the people's representatives emerges. "Haitian women represent 52% of the total population and in rural areas, 60%. 2 It should be remembered that Juan Roa Dávila was sentenced in Spain, exiled for his contrary opinions and died in Rome in 1630. 3 J. Roa Dávila, De regnorum iustitia, 8. ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 21 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
The priority attributed to men in the In view of this, the people exasperated division of labour obliges these women, tireless and with large families move out of their place workers, to be dependent on peasant men in of origin in search of a new beginning. Hence, terms of access to capital, which prevents them the latest migratory events clearly explain how from improving, in an autonomous and poverty, unemployment, insecurity and gender permanent way, their situation socioeconomic discrimination are lowering the quality of life "(p. 5). and productivity of the population and particularly women. It stands out that many In this context, urban and rural women women leave their homes or manage to move and even those who were born in extreme with their children regardless of risk factors. poverty have developed favorable attitudes for social and agricultural savings and On the other hand, the lack of entrepreneurship, as well as the ability to make opportunities as a consequence of the brain their own decisions, Social and cognitive skills drain and the mass displacement brings with it to plan their community and empowerment multiple psychological and social effects, for activities. example the mental and emotional disorders, depressive episodes typical, families Yet men continue to benefit more social Dysfunctional, juvenile delinquency, and political privileges than women in any part prostitution, family and gender violence, of the country. The discriminatory situation economic dependence, among others. In our experienced by Haitian women should be civilization men are still the home providers remedied to promote democratic status and and women are responsible for raising children gender equality. Since women play an and caring for the home. important role in the generation of income and the social and family balance of the Haitian This allocation of family roles impedes nation. the labour integration of women and socioeconomic autonomy. Similarly, macho Therefore their efforts, skills and attitudes, domestic violence, and emotional commitments with family and society through problems are the result of economic the educational, emotional and nutritional dependence in many households. To improve preparation of future leaders and public this, women and men should benefit from the servants must be recognized, valued and same opportunities from the perspective of respected by all. gender equity and personal improvement. It should be mentioned that roles between women Unfortunately, many girls and women and men tend to change over time because there face harmful situations such as unsafe and risky is a greater participation of women in social and abortions, maternal deaths, children with political life. malformations, HIV/AIDS, emotional, physical and sexual violence, which divert their personal However, statistics and cases of femicides development goals and Educational attainment and gender-based political violence due to a planned marriage or unwanted demonstrate how much we must work to pregnancy linked to its precarious conditions. respect the rights to life, reproduction and Sex education in school curricula is definitely freedom of women. essential to prevent early pregnancies and other awkward and seductive situations such as: As a result, women need to form poverty, inequality and lack of moral and networks of support and solidarity to effectively ethical values within the Families, susceptible combat discrimination, lack of opportunities to train vulnerable and desperate people to and male caciquism that impact their commit certain disastrous mistakes. socioeconomic, educational and political development, including their fundamental This educational strategy would help rights and freedoms as equal people. young people make informed decisions based on their life projects would also reduce the number of members in poor households or with very limited resources; By the way, the latter is one of the factors that enlarge misery.
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 22 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
Therefore, all peasants and indigenous We think that the aforementioned people (women and men) should be organized technique would facilitate both the creation of into support groups to reclaim their rights to job opportunities, the use of non-edible agricultural and rural credit4 with low interest byproducts and the remainder of waste for other rates, economic subsidies and social protection utilities, reducing the risks of environmental through public policies linked to alternative pollution; At the same time it would meet an development and agrarian reform programs internationally competitive market, but it would designed by impartial and competent public also reduce violence, food insecurity, and the servants whose commitment is to improve the flow of mass migration to 75%; Also foreign quality of life of the most vulnerable groups, investment as a purpose to create a lasting small and medium-sized producers. interest and for economic purposes by creating agricultural, industrial and basic services As noted by FAO (2013), “Social companies would increase to 80%. Thus, Haiti protection allows for the vulnerability of rural would gain a better position in the UNDP households and plays a key role in improving Human Development Index (HDI) ranking. food and nutritional security and reducing rural poverty. The predictability of social protection This innovative and visionary approach instruments allows families to better manage would guarantee a balanced diet of local risks and to count more profitable livelihoods. consumers and family economic growth by The impact of social protection systems is allowing thousands of Haitians to enjoy a greater if they are coordinated with broader dignified life by earning an average of 2 US strategies of food and nutritional security, rural dollars per day, this would lead to the decrease development and poverty reduction.” The same in the number of street traders, criminals and procedure for sustainable development, follow- poor extremes. With respect to graduates from up and qualification would be applied to various universities, the state could design a improve the conditions of vulnerability of the program of scholarships of specialty, other inhabitants and to combat corruption, on a monitoring and management of human continuous basis. resources by competences and merits, national competitions of projects of innovation, growth, As expressed, it is emphasized that Entrepreneurship and empowerment for integral poverty, insecurity, discrimination and other development and democracy. social problems hit the largest number of inhabitants in urban and rural areas of the All the contests of proposals for local, country. Therefore, the large producers could social, community and competence be subject of credits under conditions of development will be effective as long as the association and of support to the other whole procedure, from the registration of producers (Unity makes strength). Also, small documents to the award of prizes, would be and medium-sized producers could sell their carried out with transparency, justice and new quality food products to large producers ethics. Schools and professional institutes and the state to promote the local market, who would be equipped and willing to access the would pay the products according to the rules maximum number of young people and adults of transparency and justice Established by the who wish to learn a career or finish their state. Similarly, the creation of food industries studies. with facilities, equipment for the preparation, manipulation and processing of foodstuffs Reduce the rate of unemployed and would allow the processing of food of plant runaway graduates; promoting free and quality origin through the basic methods of food education, creating employment opportunities preservation, to satisfy the modern and cultural and securing social and human rights should be eating habits of the Haitian population. the government's priority. Citizens would never have the need to leave their country for lack of 4By definition, the agricultural and rural credit is the one that is job opportunities, hunger and/or violent granted to be used in the process of production of agricultural, scenarios, but would travel for pleasure, as forestry, aquaculture and fishing goods, their transformation and/or marketing and support services, as well as the one that is potential and respectable tourists. granted for mining, rural and ecological tourism, handicrafts, transformation of metals and gemstones, including their commercialization. See: https://www.finagro.com.co/sites/default/files/node/basic- page/files/credito.pdf ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 23 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
Empirical observation in rural areas Here, speaking of a transparent judicial continues to sealed the bravery, determination, reform, we refer to the need for a democratic efforts and survival strategies developed by state, good governance to carry out the peasants and indigenous people trapped in the necessary transformations for the welfare of the vicious circle of extreme poverty; Victims of population, guaranteeing greater emotional and discrimination and the absence of social economic security in the Rural areas through protection in their communities to meet their resilience, the use of renewable and non- basic needs. Therefore, a large proportion of renewable resources and social, cultural and people live without social protection in rural labour inclusion. areas of developing countries; Its main source of food survival and socioeconomic Therefore, there is an alternative to the reproduction is agriculture, to make a living and rupture of the structural limits of development, to resist misery. which consists in deploying and implementing a long-term sustainable development policy that Similarly, "Poor rural households includes strategies for industrial, agricultural, already suffer from limited access to resources, scientific development, Social, ecological and, low agricultural productivity and inadequate above all, combating poverty. It suggests timely markets, reducing their ability to cope with the policies that prioritize development education, a swings and economic and natural crises that transparent judiciary, agro-industrial reform, threaten their livelihoods "(FAO, 2013). and strong technological and business Similarly, the situation of extreme poverty and innovation can benefit and help improve this exclusion is more about rural people who fail to condition. When the boundaries of development break this vicious circle. do not break in time, structural problems are repeated periodically, and the twisted circles From the perspective of organizational suffered by the national economy will continue policy and sustainable socioeconomic to escalate at a disadvantage of future development, agro-industrial and human, Haiti's generations. misery situation can be changed as long as we opt for a strategic intervention and the goodwill Therefore, in the Haitian population, of the servers Public and active citizen employment becomes luxury for a variety of participation, as well as the state reasons, including corruption and frequent accompaniment of the five productive sectors socioeconomic inequalities. It is difficult to that embark the essential elements for the balance all the factors that lead to the misery economic and social activity of society. situation but the dire consequences are axiomatic. In this case, the economic well- These elements are involved in the being must be a right to satisfy the basic Society of information, quality and promotion necessities of the family unit by means of the of agriculture to propose analytical components implementation of strategies and social actions for the integration of peasants and indigenous destined to improve the quality of life of the people in the national and international markets inhabitants, from where they rest the whole in order to counteract The persistent factors of Obligation and commitment of political actors instability and economic retardation in rural to ensure the prosperity and sovereignty of the areas. Similarly, some alternative conceptions nation. are emphasized with objective probabilities and forceful attitudes towards agro-industrial This last comment adds to the extension, competition and access to regional responsibility of Governments to promote markets that will give way to a possible equality between men and women in improvement in the social spheres, economic employment opportunities and adequate means and psychological of the Haitian man, of survival in these difficult times. We agree considering respect for human rights, the that the implementation of economic policies impulse of technological innovation and access and rural development programmes aimed at to information, as well as the creation of a overcoming poverty and improving the living transparent and ethical judicial and financial conditions of rural women is paramount system. (ECLAC, 2009, p. 24).
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 24 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
In the same way, it is necessary to make In the same way, the obligation of the changes and hope, to improve the living State is to generate mechanisms of prevention conditions in a society (Alonso, 2002, p. 39). and protection for all its inhabitants; Create However, corruption, nepotism, greed and employment and business opportunities; To impunity are some elements that can end the prevail the quality education and to conceive patience and confidence of those affected, who greater possibilities of admission to the become victims of a corrupt political and graduates. We know that quality education is judicial system. We add two very important the safest investment and is never devalues, but components to make this significant change that many children are not in school due to we all expect, are empathy to resolve conflicts socioeconomic inequality. As UNESCO of interest and structural problems that mentioned (2017): physically and emotionally demolish the masses; The second is definitely the fair and "To maximize their profits and reduce equitable application of laws to corrupt public income inequality, education must reach the officials by avoiding favoritism, despotism and poorest. It is important to recognize that impunity that undermine moral values and the education is key to ending poverty in all its forms democratic process. Without overlooking and in all latitudes. ... it is eight times more likely citizen participation and the commitment of that children from the poorest families (-20%) are social actors, community leaders and impartial out of school than the wealthiest children (+ media. 20%) in low-middle-income countries. It is nine times more likely that primary and secondary All that is proposed can be achieved as school-age children in the poorest countries are long as we do it together, for love of the nation out of school than their peers in wealthier countries. He points out that education has direct and in a selfless way. We believe that there is and indirect implications for both economic nothing that can not be changed by social growth and poverty. Education provides skills action, unity and political ethics. From an that increase job opportunities and income, while approach of the human condition based on the helping to protect people from socioeconomic right to a dignified life, freedom, peace and vulnerabilities. A more equitable expansion of social coexistence, the composition of human education would reduce inequality and raise the values, solidarity, justice and the social pact are poor from the lowest rung of the scale. Similarly, essential to foster the union, the rights and UNESCO (2017) shows that about 60 million obligations of each Haitian citizen. people could escape poverty if all adults had only two more years of schooling. If all adults would As a result, Haiti is on the list of end secondary education, 420 million people countries with the greatest human rights abuses could emerge from poverty, reducing the total and less advanced in the world due to lack of number of poor people by more than 50% opportunities, hunger, inefficient and globally and by nearly two-thirds in sub-Saharan insufficient public service benefits, corruption Africa and South Asia. " and Impunity. To remedy the situation we must confront the problem of impunity, transparency For his part, Oppenheimer (2010) said: and accountability, that is to promote the culture of legality, institutional ethics and a Countries whose policies bet on education and judicial reform that implies knowing, respecting research have made a difference, and one of the and enforcing the law, in a way Impartial and most important consequences is the dizzying transparent. Since we all have rights to a decent reduction of poverty, driven by a "national life in a safe, fair, equitable and prosperous obsession with education." This is evident in society. countries such as India, China, Singapore, Finland and South Korea, where economic To this end, it is essential to have growth is experienced at a rate that surpasses competent, honest and ethical mandates, who that of Latin American economies. Therefore, it will take into account the usefulness of each is necessary to motorize from the state inhabitant for integral development, respect for incentives that contribute to promote a greater human rights and fundamental freedoms and commitment in the training of the new the implementation of a national plan of professionals, since they represent the employment and food sovereignty. fundamental basis of the teaching and the learning of the students.
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Provided that a policy of equitable This leads us to question and criticize education is required as well as an environment the role of political power and credit embodied of peace and tranquility so that students and all in public officials, since the current results are citizens can carry out their daily and contrary to the aspirations of the people. educational activities without fear of armed Consequently, poverty terrifies and reduces gangs or kidnappers; Similarly, the these individuals to the inhuman and impotent implementation of follow-up programs, State; Such a circumstance attacks literally with scholarships and immediate jobs for recent the very preservation of life and the basic graduates would compliment personal and freedoms of the human being, for the collective development. It should also be performance and social inclusion. As such, considered the professionalization of teachers difficult socioeconomic conditions, violence, and the quality training of the students, future unemployment and lack of opportunity force leaders of the nation. the massive displacement of Haitians and cause the brain drain. According to Vaillant (2008) quoted by De Sousa (2011), "It is necessary to consider Methodology the importance of the professionalization of the teacher which is built from the confluence of The research was conducted in the two poorest three elements: adequate working conditions, a departments of Haiti, northeast and northwest quality training, and a management and to investigate the perception of the inhabitants evaluation to strengthen the capacity of the on the migratory flowed, the socioeconomica teachers in their practice. He also points out that situation and their aspirations. As a qualitative the key is to form good teachers, so educational research, the methodology used to collect data, improvement will only occur with social perception and evaluation of the research pressure from below, a family culture of instrument was focus groups. In this sense, a education must be created, and citizen semi-structured survey was used through a movements that pressure governments to put questionnaire of 55 open and half open education at the center of the political agenda. questions about living conditions, the perception of participants regarding social It is necessary to motorize from the programs and their places of destination as state incentives that contribute to promote a possible Immigrants. greater commitment in the training of the new professionals, since they represent the A structured technique was also used to fundamental basis of the teaching and the save time and facilitate the collaboration of the learning of the students. "Each one has participants. In addition, the observation of the something useful to Contribute to the participants allowed us to understand the daily construction of the rule of law. It is urgent to life and the attitude of the 100 interviewees combat unequal social distribution, corruption, randomly chosen, who constituted the the violation of human rights, and any act representative sample size for the two locations: contrary to the common good, social justice, Maribaroux (northeast that It has 393,967 food sovereignty and public security. This inhabitants) and Saint Louis du Nord sociopolitical awakening must be accompanied (northwest with 728,807 inhabitants), to study by the will of each Haitian, likewise the leaders and analyse the causes and effects of the brain must work to regain the social-economic, drain in the two regions. cultural dignity of the nation. It is important to mention that the 100 Definitively, the extreme poverty in heads of households were selected through the which most Haitians live, causing the rise of T-Student process to obtain the corresponding psychosomatic problems, despair, hatred, representative sample. Taking into account the 푁푍2 푃푄 depression and stress; As a result, it is one of formula: n= Where, the size of the the causes of suicides in recent decades 퐷2(푁−1)+푍2 푃푄 worldwide. As if it were not enough, poverty population N: 1, 122,774 inhabitants, Z: value also directly or indirectly attacks the dignity of obtained by using confidence levels = 1.96, E: those who experience it, patriotic pride and Acceptable sampling error limit (is considered a national sovereignty; They also influence the 5% error), P = 50% (. 5), q = 50% (. 5), D =. 5; identical, cultural and sociopolitical events. we get a sample size 195 surveyed S for both departments. ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 26 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
During the sessions, a brief presentation Civil status % Highest % was made of the extreme poverty conditions in civil degree of studies which the population is located, and the real Single 4% Kinder 3% basic necessities of the inhabitants were also Married 35% Primary 33% evident. Therefore, each person has been able to Free union 48% Secondary 23% express themselves with confidence and Widower 13% University 1% freedom. In view of this, the groups were Any academic preparation 38% granted 45 minutes to give their views and discuss in a respectful manner. Subsequently, Table 3 The civil status of the participants and the the questionnaires were distributed to the highest degree of studies of the interviewees participants. Source: author’s elaboration with data obtained in field work, 2015-2016.
For one hour the heads of households Also, table 4 shows that 89% of should fill out the questionnaires, however participants were starving during the last week, those who do not know how to read and write 3% replied that they did not suffer hunger, were supported by the community leaders and while 8% did not answer the question. In the the investigator in question. Similarly, some same way, the number of children in the home parents who were in the same situation received is presented. The chiefs of household replied help from their children or grandchildren. At that 25% of households have between 1 and 3 the end of the focus group sessions, participants children, 42% have between 4 and 6 children, were thanked, small coexistence was made and 26% have between 7 and 10 children, 4% the leaders were paid. responded to have had between 10 and more
children, while 3% said they had no children Below are the results of the research that and 1% did not answer. Therefore, the results allow us to analyze the multidimensional show that 47% of respondents revealed that poverty as the main component of the their home has only a quarter, 39% said they migratory flow and the brain drain in Haiti as live in more than one and up to three rooms, well as the impact of the two social programs while 14% responded that their home has more for the combat of the Poverty in two poor than three rooms. regions.
Has % Number % Number % Results anyone of of rooms in your children per family house The research was conducted with 46 men and suffered 54 women in the two poor departments. The from age of the participants of the study population is hunger during located in the range of 16 to 75 years. In the the last same way, the average age is 35 years, as is the week? distribution in percentage of the age of the Yes 89% No 3% Only a 47% children quarter participants. No 3% Between 4% More 39% 10 and than one With respect to the marital status of the more and up to three participants, table 3 points out that 4% is single, rooms 35% of the participants are married, 48% live in Did not 8% Between 26% More 14% free union and 13% are widows. With respect to answer 7 and 10 than children three the degree of study, it is revealed that 3% has rooms the degree of preschool, 35% grade of primary, Between 4 and 6 42% 23% grade of secondary, while 1% completed children the university. On the other hand, 38% said Between 1 and 3 25% children they had not had any academic preparation. Did not answer 1%
Table 4 Number of participants who have suffered hunger in the last week, number of children and number of rooms per house, northeast and northwest Source: author’s elaboration with data obtained in field work, 2015-2016
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 27 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
Therefore, table 5 presents the difficult It is also shown that 75% of the economic situation of the inhabitants of the two respondents want to leave the country due to poor regions. By using the World Bank poverty their current socioeconomic status. While 23% line that considers a person in extreme poverty do not want to flee the country because they are when their daily average income (or engaged in agriculture. On the other hand, 1% expenditures) is less than US $1 and, in did not answer the question. Therefore, the moderate poverty, those who earn less than countries where the participants want to US$2 per day. The results obtained in field emigrate in search of a better life are presented. work on average per capita income to measure The results show that 43% want to migrate to the number of households in extreme and the United States, 20% prefer the Dominican moderate poverty in these two departments Republic because they do not have financial show a proportion of 81% of extreme poor and resources to travel too far or pay the boat 97% of moderate poor in the two departments. people. While 8% chose the Bahamas/Nassau. Therefore, 2% chose Canada and Brazil Poverty line Extrem Moderate successively. On the other hand, 25% wanted to poverty poverty stay in their community. Percentage 81% 97%
Table 5 Percentage of households in extreme and It is important to note that the moderate poverty in northeast and northwest. opportunities and options to migrate in Chile Source: author’s elaboration with data obtained in field were few at the time of the investigation, for work, 2015-2016. that reason this country is not listed. But things have suddenly changed and Chile became a Regarding the people of the study good destination for Haitian and Latino population who responded to this question emigrants. We are aware that the migratory about the lack of food at home in the last week situation of Haitians changes every moment due before the interview, the results of graph 1 to their needs, therefore the data are subject to shows that 89% of respondents said yes in the possible modifications. In addition, the cases of last week Some members of his family have Haitian emigrants found in Tijuana, the border suffered from hunger, 3% responded that no city of Mexico in southern California, were not and 8% did not answer this question. reported here. But, this work can serve as a guide for further research on migration flow
and brain drain in the region. 89%
Perception of % Do you % In What % the plan to country
socioeconomic flee the would you 8%
3% situation country like to because emigrate Y es No D i d n o t of its because of an s wer current your economic extreme Graph 1 Proportion of households that have seemed to situation? poverty starve in the last 12 months in northeast and northwest situation? Source: author’s elaboration with data obtained in field Very difficult 85% Yes 75% United 43% work, 2015-2016 States Difficult 14% No 23% Canada 2% Therefore, the precarious situation of Something 1% Did not 2% Dominican 20% difficult answer Republic rural and urban areas motivates, encourages Brazil 2% people with limited economic resources to flee Bahamas / 8% from misery. With regard to people's perception Nassau of their socioeconomic situation, table 6 shows None 25% that 85% stated that they are currently in a very Table 6 Perception of Haitians on their current difficult socioeconomic situation, 14% said that socioeconomic situation and countries of destination their condition is difficult and only 1% stated Source: author’s elaboration with data obtained in field that their situation current socioeconomic is work, 2015-2016. something difficult, that presents the perception of the inhabitants on the strong juncture of deficiencies that prevent them from enjoying a dignified life in their environment.
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 28 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
The results mentioned in the previous Corruption will depend on the table conclude that the northeast and Northwest magnitude of the benefits and costs under the departments are the most vulnerable and remain control of public officials. “On the other hand, the regions that deserve urgent and permanent Shleifer and Vishny (1993) point out that intervention where the authorities should "corruption is the sale of government property implement a priori the major or main programs by officers belonging to this entity for their own to break with misery. Day by day the poor benefit. The demand for property officially extremes are more aware of their social, owned by the government originates from economic and cultural shortcomings; In view of private agents, allowing them to pursue this, they continually seek ways to survive by economically desirable goals that would their own unattainable means and strategies. otherwise be impossible for them to achieve. These expectations oblige citizens to ask for Given the nature of government goods, their accounts of the funds that have been destined to private prices may become very high; So the improve the socioeconomic conditions of the opportunity arises for corrupt officers to neediest. distribute them at a lower price and to retain the surplus for their own benefit. “We add that It is known that social programs should servers and public officials must understand be executed from the local to the global for that they have a responsibility to meet the social favorable results. So, if state interventions to demands of the population. combat poverty had been coherent, if these people were the main beneficiaries of the next Likewise, the nation's assets should not two recent social programs, their quality of life be used for petty and/or third-party interests, would have been improved. which accelerates social inequality, exclusion and poverty in communities. Similarly, Mauro The concupiscence and corruption of (1995) mentions that corruption tends to servers and public officials are determinants of negatively affect a country's economy, slowing social inequalities and mistrust in state its growth. Definitely, poor countries have institutions. As Inglehart and Wezel (2005) fewer controls on corruption and a weak justice points out, the individualization and disrepute system that encourages impunity for corrupt of the traditional authorities motivates — officials, but this situation also has direct and especially in the new generations — a sense of indirect effects on the equitable distribution of distrust of political institutions. Whereas Income. As pointed out by Bigio and Ramírez- (Torcal and Montero, 2006; Moreno and Rondan (2006): Catterberg, 2005) support that the reasons that explain the distrust towards the new institutions The effects that corruption has on is not the cultural change but rather the inequality are several, and these can be both persistence of undemocratic values (evidenced direct and indirect, but all are based on the by centuries of authoritarian political history distortions that corruption creates in public and low levels of social capital among its management. Direct effects include exemptions population). According to Elliott (2001) quoted and preferences in public programs that are by Valdés et al. (2009, Pp. 21-23), "Corruption given to the most powerful interest groups in a is a bad present in both developing and country and thus divert resources from the developed countries. poorest. Similarly, countries with lower corruption controls have shown lower rates of While the first decreases economic growth in the country's poorest 20%; Resulting growth and impedes economic development, in such a way in higher Gini coefficients increasing poverty and political instability, in (greater inequality). industrialized countries, although to a lesser extent, it also has negative effects as resources Before analyzing the two social deviated are no longer available to improve programs that sought to reduce extreme living standards. Corruption occurs in the poverty, it is of paramount importance to public and private sectors. Bribery incentives present their technical data (See table 7). Ti are created when an official has discretionary Manman Cheri (Dear mommy) is a Haitian power to allocate a benefit or cost to the private government social protection program that sector. helps mothers support their families and invest in the education of their child (ren).
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 29 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
To be a beneficiary of the program, the With the will to build a more egalitarian mother must belong to a vulnerable home and society, the Government has established its must have her child (ren) enrolled and attend National social Assistance program "Ede Pép". school regularly. Aimed at protecting vulnerable people living in extreme poverty throughout their life cycle, in Country Haiti the short and medium term, to ensure long-term Beginning 2012 investment in their human capital and offer Clasification Money transfers opportunities to overcome extreme poverty. Dimension Access SAN From the outset, the monthly monetary amount Website http://www.edepep.gouv.ht/ per family (maximum US $18 per month) Goal Help mothers support their families and already mentioned countersaid the objective of invest in the education of their child the program that is to offer the population (ren). opportunities to overcome extreme poverty. If Components Conditional cash transfer. Monthly, the so, there would be no social awakening, violent and/or recipient mothers of the program products receive a sum of money that varies with conflict and allegations against the last two the number of children in school. administrations, owing to money laundering, 1- If the mother has a child receives HTG crime, corruption and administrative scandals $400 (USD $9) by presidential families. 2- For two children she receives HTG$600 (USD$13) 3- For tree children she receives HTG$800 Similarly, the government points out (USD$18) that this programme continues to help Each mother is registered and approved vulnerable populations. Since the beginning of for 6 months transfer. fiscal year 2013-2014, since then, 907,105 food Target Mothers from vulnerable areas who packages have been distributed nationwide. population have at least one child enrolled in a school. Under the "Kantin Mobil" program, 912,367 Scope National hot meals were distributed free of charge in Geographic Urban and rural vulnerable areas. The national network coverage “Restoran Kominotè” has 324 restaurants. Also, Responsible Office of the Prime Minister of the 2,916 jobs have been created since the launch agency Republic of Haiti (Primature de la of this project. Each structure produces 500 République d´Haïti) Executing Economic and Social Assistance Fund dishes per day, or more than 3.2 million of agency government-subsidized dishes each month. Links to National Social Assistance Strategy National The government uses innovative cash- policy transfer projects that allow direct injection of
Table 7 Technical data of the social programs "Ti cash into the economy of vulnerable Manman Cheri" (Dear Mommy) and Ede Pép (Help to households. Therefore, 86.234 mothers are the people) financed under the program as "Dear Mommy Source: author’s elaboration with database of the food or Ti Manman cheri" in operation in the 10 and nutritional security platform. FAO/ECLAC, 2018. 5 departments of the country, in 105 cities and 830 schools. Therefore, "Kore Etidyan" The following data allow us to carry out continues with 31.409 students included in the an analytical-critical reflection of political project for the year 2013-2014. Five (5) months power, inequality, corruption and impunity. of subsidy have already been paid and 85% of Because it is assumed that the Petrocaribe fund the payments have been recovered by the was intended to improve the socioeconomic students. conditions of the vulnerable groups as it was previously presented on the technical data This year, with the option of Laptop, sheet. In addition, in a press release dated this subprogram has benefited 10.509 students. September 5, 2014, speaking of the Help to the Likewise, in the agricultural sector, 4000 and people "EDE PEP" program, the spokesman for 1000 kits of tools seed kits have been the former prime Minister stated that "the distributed in the program Kore Peyizan, which Martelly/Lamothe government is fighting aims to improve agricultural production. extreme poverty and the preferential choice for the poor, these are their Top priorities.
5 See: http://plataformacelac.org/programa/279 ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 30 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
These data allow us to reflect on the While most Haitian families are political integrity, relevance and credibility of extensive (grandparents, uncles, cousins and the information because the Haitian population other consanguineous or allied relatives). is infuriated against the current government which is a political continuity of the same 100% political party (Haitian Party Tét Kale) Whose 90% 80% 89% President Jovenel Moïse was elected; Frequent 70% protest witnesses their disapproval for corrupt 60% 50% public officials and bad government. As a 40% result, reality calls us as citizens and scientists 30% 20% to study and analyse the perception of the 10% 2% 2% 3% 2% inhabitants of the poorest departments of the 0% country, to measure the impact of the two social Only Ede Only Ti Both None Did not Pép Manman programs answer programs through the results of the research. cheri
Graph 2 Beneficiary number of the program of Ede Pép Analysis of social programs EDE PÉP "help and/or Ti Manman Cheri of the Government of Haiti. the People" and TI MANMAN CHERI Source: author’s elaboration with data obtained in field "Dear Mommy" work, 2015-2016.
Graph 2 presents the results corresponding to Similarly, the relationship between the the number of individuals who are beneficiaries shortcomings and the beneficiaries of the of the program Ede Pép and/or Ti Manman government's anti-poverty programmes is Cheri of the Government of Haiti that allow us established to determine whether these people to answer this question. It is shown that only really need this support because of their 2% responded to be benefited from the program precarious socioeconomic conditions. of Ede Pép, only Ti Manman Cheri and did not answer; While 3% claimed to be a beneficiary The results of Graph 3 show that of both programs; On the other hand, a large respectively 1% of the beneficiary of only Ede proportion of 89% stated that they did not Pép has deficiencies in the access to health benefit from any of the two major anti-poverty services and educational backwardness, in total programmes implemented by the Government 2%. Likewise, 2% of beneficiaries of only Ti in the territories. Manman Cheri have deficiencies in access to social security and access to health services, in In this sense, the social programs EDE total 4%. And even if 4% did not answer the PÉP and TI MANMAN CHERI were not question about social programs, they presented effective in identifying the population who live the same shortcomings. in extreme poverty, nor to care for them and therefore neither are they for combating poverty Therefore, 5% of beneficiaries of both in Haiti. Without overlooking the diversion of government programs, 2% are educational the economic resources of the Petrocaribe backwards and 3% have shortcomings in access programme aimed at combating poverty and to social security. On the other hand, 89% said executing public works, for political and petty not to be a beneficiary of any of the two major purposes, as a result of corruption. anti-poverty programs implemented by the Government, 7% lack in access to health In addition, taking into account the cost services, 25% educational backwardness, 51% of living of Haitian families, considering the have gaps in access to social security and 6% food basket, we conclude that the outrageous have deficiencies in access to food. In total, 8% monthly financial aid of: $9 US Dollars or HTG of the inhabitants have deficiencies in the $400 If the mother has a child; $13 US Dollars access to the health services, 28% educational or HTG $600 if she has two children and HTG backlog, 58% have deficiencies in the access to $800 or $ $18 if she has three children it is not the social security and 6% have lack in the even enough to survive for a week because the access to the food. program contemplates supporting only nuclear families (formed by parents and One or more children) or single parent.
ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 31 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
The more Haitians stop producing to Lack of access to health services have their autonomy waiting for the permanent Average educational lag assistance of the international community, the Access to social security more the country will be trapped in the misery Access to food and the submission of other countries. It is time Total to take in hand the destiny of the nation. Today 120 more than ever Haitians need to elect 100 100 89 committed and capable candidates to implement 80 programs that can counteract structural 60 51 problems, insecurity, permanently, and reaffirm national sovereignty, long ago violated by 40 28 25 respect for patriotic values and human rights, 20 7 6 8 6 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 3 0 5 0 0 2 0 2 1 promotes national production, tolerance, Union 0 Only Ede Only Ti Both None Did not Total and the culture of legality. pép Manman programs answer cheri Good governance promotes equity, citizen participation, pluralism, transparency, Graph 3 Relationship between anti-poverty and social responsibility and the rule of law, so that deprivation programmes in the Northeast and northwest democracy and human dignity are effective, departments Source: author’s elaboration with data obtained in field efficient and lasting. The greatest threat to good work, 2015-2016 governance comes from corruption, violence, and poverty, all of which undermines Conclusions transparency, security, social justice, inclusiveness, and opportunities to achieve Ethical officials have the mission to protect and goals. adequately serve the society they represent. If there are no good results in combating Recommendations multidimensional poverty in Haiti is because we do not have responsible officials because Institutions must be effective and efficient in they are those who enjoy the maximum margin responding to the needs of the population such of autonomy in decisions, and these decisions as: roads, schools, housing, energy networks, depend on collective welfare. Also, public health, food, among others that are part of the ethics gives the public servant a knowledge that structures that a good government should allows them to act correctly in every situation implement for collective well-being and for because it is difficult to provide criteria to find strengthening democratic governance and the suitable solutions. rule of law. Transparency and respect among all the inhabitants state-society is indispensable, to Therefore, changes in the attitudes of build an equitable, prosperous and just society public servants to improve the quality of life of that will propel sustainable development in the population must arise from the heart, which Haiti. All of the above refers to the political means to get into the shoes of others (be ethics that the ruler should acquire to lead a empathetic) at the time of the design of public nation. policies based on the Human rights and collective well-being. When public servants are Some causes that impact good ethical, they are committed to individual, governance are: well-defined economic family and population well-being. interests or uncontrollable greed; Group commitments; corruption; The lack of political With regard to Haitian reality, more ethics. Of course, when the laws are biased, than ever, ethical and democratic rulers are they benefit everyone as long as each individual required to prevent the risks and consequences fulfills his obligations and rights by respecting of bad governance because when rulers are and applying them, because no one is above the misleading moral and state decadence, injustice, law. We are the institutions therefore, their corruption, Insecurity, impunity, socioeconomic credibility will depend on our moral behavior. inequalities and mass displacement are evident, thus the misery of the majority of inhabitants is accelerated and the brain drain becomes a dramatic and inevitable phenomenon. ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019. 32 Article Journal of Social Researches June 2019 Vol.5 No.15 14-34
As stated by Diego (2001) quoted by De Sousa, M. (2011). Education to fight Douglas North (1993), "Institutions are a poverty. Sapiens. University Journal of human creation, evolve and are altered by Research, Year 12, N º 2, December 2011. humans." Well, we need to start with the Available at: individual. Because when an individual lacks https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=410303 ethics and wields power he is not able to 68001. Consulted December 6, 2018. measure the scope of his actions and can act irrationally and needlessly until he violates Diego, B. O. (2001), Ethics in public servants, human rights to protect his interests. When UPN, Mexico, 2001. unethical individuals are public officials, they corrupt institutions, violate social rights, Economic Commission for Latin America and despise the needs of vulnerable groups, and the Caribbean (ECLAC) (2009). Employment delay sustainable development. For the same of rural women what the figures say. P. 27. reasons, the social programs that have been Available at: http://www.fao.org/3/a- implemented to combat poverty are not i0616s.pdf. Consulted: September 7, 2016. effective, therefore, they cannot respond to the basic needs of the people, they do not even Elliott, K. A. (2001). Corruption in the global know if these programs exist in the economy. Mexico City: Conmusa Noriega communities. editors.
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ISSN 2414-4835 LINDOR, Moïse. Government, poverty and corruption in Haiti. ECORFAN® All rights reserved Critical reflections on two social programs, brain drain and destination countries. Journal of Social Researches. 2019.