University of Central Florida STARS HIM 1990-2015 2013 The Great Leap Backward: Exploring the Differences in Development Paths Between the Dominican Republic and Haiti Rebb Valeris University of Central Florida Part of the Political Science Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015 University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in HIM 1990-2015 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Valeris, Rebb, "The Great Leap Backward: Exploring the Differences in Development Paths Between the Dominican Republic and Haiti" (2013). HIM 1990-2015. 1512. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1512 THE GREAT LEAP BACKWARD: EXPLORING THE DIFFERENCES IN DEVELOPMENT PATHS BETWEEN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI by REBB VALERIS A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Honors in Major Program in Political Science In the College of Sciences and in The Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2013 Thesis Chair: Dr. Bruce Wilson © 2013 Rebb Valeris ii ABSTRACT This thesis examines the variance in human development paths and policies pursed on the island of Hispaniola by the governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The different paths have resulted in significant dissimilarities in contemporary levels of economic and social development across the island. Starting from the theoretical perspective of Acemplgu and Robinson (2012), I find that institutional explanations can only explain part of this divergence. I argue that a more complete explanation needs to take into consideration the role played by class, color, and race. I also find that foreign intervention, particularly the occupation of both countries by the US Marines in the 20th century, helped direct the development strategies of each country in different directions. iii DEDICATION The puzzle of Hispaniola is dear to my heart. I, born of Haitian parents, carry a heavy burden for the people I view my own. My mother, during the era of the suppressive rule of Jean – Claude Duvalier (“Baby Doc”), fled Haiti for her life and economic opportunity. Out of 170 people who travel with her on sea, my mother was amongst the 20 who survived. Like many Haitians voyaging from Haiti to a neighboring island or the U.S., before leaving her family and loved ones behind in sheer misery, my mother vowed to never forget the suffering of her people. Still till this day, my mother reiterates her story time and time again. She continually reminds me to never forget to assist those trapped in abject poverty. This thesis is an expression of my commitment to always be reminded of the struggles of the Haitian people. I reflect on the questions which puzzle many Haitian expatriates living outside of Haiti in various host countries. Like I, many Haitians living outside of Haiti are wondering what went wrong! iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Roger Handberg for his incredible level of patience with me throughout the course of this thesis process. I would also like to extend special thanks to Dr. Bruce Wilson for his inestimable guidance, and dedication throughout the course of this thesis’ development. To Dr. Virbert White, I extend thanks for sharing his extensive knowledge. I would also like to extend thanks to my sister, Beverly, brother, Jephte, my mother, Elvita, and my close friend, Dr. Hugh Allen for the love shown me for so many years and encouraging me to never give up throughout the course of this thesis development. v TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Thesis Statement ............................................................................................................................. 3 CASE STUDY ................................................................................................................................ 6 Historical Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 8 Debt History: 19th -20th century ............................................................................................... 8 Impacts of the Occupation: Education and Public Infrastructure .......................................... 13 Slave History: Impact on Society and Culture ...................................................................... 16 Dominican Economic: 19th-20th century ................................................................................ 17 U.S. Occupation: 1916-1924 ................................................................................................. 20 Literature Review.......................................................................................................................... 26 Theoretical Approaches and Goals ........................................................................................... 26 Culture Argument (Harrison) .................................................................................................... 34 Drawing a comparison (Dubois) ............................................................................................... 40 Institutions Argument (Robinson and Acemplgu) .................................................................... 46 Policy Matters (Jaramillo and Sancak)...................................................................................... 48 Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................. 51 I. Education ........................................................................................................................... 58 II. Purchasing Power ........................................................................................................... 70 vi III. Political Instability ......................................................................................................... 76 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 92 References ................................................................................................................................... 101 vii INTRODUCTION On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti killing over 220,000 people, injuring more than 300,000 people, and leaving approximately 1.5 million people homeless (CNN, 2010). This catastrophic event revealed the level of poverty and misery facing Haitians, especially compared to Haiti’s neighbor, the Dominican Republic. Although there are various competing theories attempting to account for the difference in level of poverty between Haiti than that of its more prosperous neighbor, the Dominican Republic, Acemplgu and Robinson (2012) assert that development is determined by the politics and political institutions governing elites opt for and the impact and interaction of such institutions on economic institutions and the economy. According to the authors, “while economic institutions are critical for determining whether a country is poor or prosperous, it is political institutions that determine what economic institutions a country has.” Thus, the divergence in development paths is determined by the extent to which countries adopt inclusive political institutions. Exclusive political institutions allow elites controlling political power to create few institutions with checks and balances or opposing forces. As a result of becoming rich and wealthy, elites then control and develop future political institutions favorable to their own interests. Extractive economic institutions, in turn, create increasing economic wealth and power for the same elites. Political dominance then characterizes the status of such elites. In Latin America, wealth that was generated by colonist was used to build security forces to defend their control on power. According Acemplgu and Robinson (2012), existing elites oppose inclusive 1 economic and political institutions for fear of being threatened by the entrance of new players in the economy, thus creating winners and losers in the in the area of politics and economic markets (p. 84). The authors hold that exclusive institutions are set up by elites who desire to organize society in a zero sum game. Exclusive institutions are determined by which parties win politics, i.e., who gets more support, better alliances, and accumulates the most wealth. In the case that the distribution of power is narrow and unchecked, then political institutions are created around a zero sum game. Power is then used by elites to extract resources from the rest of society. Those who win the game of politics set up economic institutions to profit and enrich themselves and increase their power (Acemplgu and Robinson, 2012, pp.79- 80). Method By comparing and contrasting the historical and institutional difference between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, I identify the relevant variables to which disparities of human development can be attributed especially around the 20th century that is the point at which the Dominican Republic started to outpace Haiti. I will analysis historical sources that will cover