7 p., The 2008-09 balance of payments crisis and a succession of errors in economic policies have resulted in new monetary and financial complications in the Cuban economy, to be added to the costs and distortions of currency duality.
After Soviet aid and trade ended Cuba was forced to reintegrate into the capitalist world economy. Needing hard currency, the government transformed the diaspora into a dollar attaining strategy, by facilitating and tacitly encouraging remittance-sending. Ordinary Cubans themselves wanted remittances to finance a lifestyle they could not otherwise afford. Despite their shared interest in remittances, the government increasingly appropriated remittances at recipients' expense.
This article discusses different views about sustainable development, emphasizing -- on the basis of a survey conducted in Brazil, Mexico, and Cuba -- the role of rural women in food production and natural resource management, the strength of the rural women's movement in the conquest of rights, and the decisive participation of women in defining proposals for public policies that guarantee gender equality in rural areas. A brief comparative analysis leads us to conclude that the development model in the three countries still prioritizes the male figure in relation to land tenure, access to credit and purchase of equipment or other material resources, it is suggested that both in Cuba, a socialist country, and in Mexico and Brazil, capitalist counties, the assumptions of social policies directed to rural female workers should take into account the basic needs of rural women to guarantee a more humane and sustainable development. Adapted from the source document.
38 p., Analyzes total factor productivity growth in agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean between 1961 and 2007. The results show that among developing regions, Latin America and the Caribbean shows the highest agricultural productivity growth. The highest growth within the region has occurred in the last two decades, especially due to improvements in efficiency and the introduction of new technologies. Within the region, land-abundant countries consistently outperform land-constrained countries.
A range of economic dimensions is examined, including trade in goods and services (notably tourism), direct foreign investment, international migration, and development assistance. Following a brief review of the evolving relationship from 1959 to 1990, the nature of the economic relationship between Canada and Cuba is analyzed in more detail for the 1990 to 2009 era.
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
230 p., For almost five decades, the United States has maintained a comprehensive economic embargo on Cuba. U.S.-based travel to the island is severely restricted, and most financial and commercial transactions with Cuba are illegal for U.S. citizens. In the 1990s the United States tightened the embargo further, seeking to promote change in Cuba by depriving the Castro government of hard currency revenues. And yet the stalemate remains. This book argues that the embargo has not been particularly effective in achieving its primary goal. The United States has not only been unable to stifle the flow of foreign investment into Cuba but has actually contributed to the recovery of the Cuban economy, particularly from the deep recession it entered following the demise of the Soviet Union.
For the last three weeks, the readers of this column have been able to follow Dr. [Anthony P. Maingot]'s speech about Haiti's history of war of liberation and internicine struggles which have been such a burden for the First Black Republic. He began with "the issue of the moment," namely the reparation from France for 200 years of slavery. Haiti's political culture, its "developed legacy of behavior, " is not conducive to development. The second issue studied by Dr. Maingot is the U.S. occupation of Haiti, which "rested on the idea of the White Man's burden" - its Manifest Destiny. But, on balance, the occupation was not entirely negative. The very racism of the White invaders was a reality check for Haitian society. Yes, by treating all Haitians (whether dark skinned or light skinned Mulattoes) as "Niggers," no more no less, the foreign invaders reconciled the subjective ideas of superiority and/or inferiority of the Haitians with their own, i.e., their more objective, non involved, opinions as powerful occupying forces. Thirdly, Dr. Maingot analysed a cultural element that had, and continues to have, a great impact on Haitian society. That major cultural factor, of course, is the syncretic religion called vodoo.
N'COBRA insists that the Haitian People be the ones to be entrusted - as an honest, hardworking and brilliant nation that they are - in the whole of the recovery and rebuilding effort in Haiti. No sovereign nation can depend on another for such an effort. While it is true that desperately needed aid to Haiti from all corners of the world is always to be appreciated, we firmly believe that it is up to the People and only the People of Haiti to direct and implement this effort as a resourceful nation to whom Re-parations have been long overdue due based on the past history. Contact: Fanuel Seku - 786 539 8239 Ayiti Tamn Tamn/VeyeYo, K.X.A. Rashid - 786 402 5286 N'COBRA National Representative, Sababu K. Shabaka - 443 622 3440 N'COBRA InternationalFatima Mevs - (786) 768 8812 N9COBRA International/ Miami-Dade Green Party.
Relying mainly on the manuscript records of the Royal African Company, we explore the factors that contributed to the large gap between slave prices in Africa and the Caribbean. Twenty-two voyages from the mid-1680s are analyzed. These were conducted with hired ships and the payments to the shipowners and captains were recorded. In addition to transport costs, mortality and morbidity had a big effect on slave prices; while the earnings from the trade in gold and ivory had a moderating influence. The effect of mortality and transport costs on slave prices during the eighteenth century is also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR].
Burger,John (Author), Rebucci,Alessandro (Author), Warnock,Francis E. (Author), and Warnock,Veronica (Author)
Format:
Pamphlet
Publication Date:
May 2010
Published:
Washington, DC: Inter-American Development Bank
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
39 p., This paper assesses the extent to which a country's external capital structure can aid in mitigating the macroeconomic impact of oil price shocks. Two Caribbean economies highly vulnerable to oil price shocks are considered: an oil importer (Jamaica) and an oil exporter (Trinidad and Tobago). From a risk-sharing perspective, a desirable external capital structure is one that, through international capital gains and losses, helps offset responses of the current account balance to external shocks. It is found that both countries could alter their international portfolio to provide a better buffer against such shocks.
190 p., Reviews legislation and government policy related to combating human trafficking in eight Caribbean countries: The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the Netherlands Antilles, St Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.NBThis review has assessed the applicability of existing statute law for the prosecution of human traffickers, the protection of trafficking victims and the prevention of trafficking activities. This includes criminal provisions that constitute one or more elements of the trafficking process such as procurement, forced detention, prostitution, sexual offences, kidnapping, abduction and other offences against the person. These elements can then be used in combination as a "patchwork" replacement for a trafficking law.
74 p., The country case studies and thematic papers in this series examine social policy issues facing small states and their implications for economic development. They show how, despite their inherent vulnerability, some small states have been successful in improving their social indicators because of the complementary social and economic policies they have implemented. This paper focuses on Grenada, a small state that has made impressive initial achievements in economic and human development since independence. However, continuing unemployment and poverty, the recent erosion of trade preferences, and the changing international donor aid environment have exposed structural weaknesses in its economic model. Tables, Figures, References.
Argues that the architecture of the world monetary-financial sphere should be changed by reforming the Jamaica world monetary system and establishing a more transparent and sustainable mechanism for the transborder movement of capital. K. Cargill
Assesses if the economies of Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana can form part of a Caribbean monetary union. Correlations between the demand and supply indicate that monetary union may lead to greater stabilization problems for these economies.
At different times in its history, the Caribbean has been a strategic region -- initially with the arrival of the first Europeans in the late 15th century, then, among other things, by its proximity to the Panama Canal & later as a result of the Cuban revolution. But for some years now it has played a less important role internationally. However, as Viktor Sukup points out, "Russia's recent rapprochement with Cuba & Venezuela & the increasing engagement of China in the region" suggest that the Caribbean still has strategic importance.
Explores female entrepreneurial activities in 13 Latin American and Caribbean countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela. Specifically explores the following research questions: What percentage of the female and male Latin American populations is involved in opportunity- and necessity-based entrepreneurial activities? And what quality of institutions is associated with female entrepreneurial activity opportunity and necessity rates?
Becerra,Oscar (Author), Cavallo,Eduardo (Author), and Powell,Andrew (Author)
Format:
Pamphlet
Publication Date:
Feb 2010
Published:
Inter-American Development Bank
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
20 p., This paper uses simple regression techniques to make an initial assessment of the monetary damages caused by the January 12, 2010 earthquake that struck Haiti. Damages are estimated for a disaster with both 200,000 and 250,000 total dead and missing (i. e. , the range of mortality that the earthquake is estimated to have caused) using Haiti's economic and demographic data.
Part of a special journal issue dedicated to strategies for societal renewal in Haiti., Building back a better Haiti will require a radically different approach to education. A combination of improved funding, smart allocation of resources, and use of low-cost modern technology may allow Haiti to leapfrog to significantly higher performance levels.
Part of a special journal issue dedicated to strategies for societal renewal in Haiti., Based on what is known about the role of women in development, the highest returns to investment are likely to come from initiatives that harness the productive capacity of women.
The long-term prosperity and peace in Haiti depend on pursuing policies that have realistic prospects for implementation and are mutually coherent. Priorities include reforming the civil service and justice systems, streamlining regulations for business, reconstructing housing and infrastructure, improving schools and health care, and ensuring donor cooperation.
The Sphere Project, "Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response," identifies the minimum standards to be attained in disaster response. From a human rights perspective and utilizing key indicators from the Sphere Project as benchmarks, this article reports on an assessment of the living conditions approximately 12 weeks after the earthquake in Parc Jean Marie Vincent, a spontaneous IDP camp in Port-au-Prince.
Policies imposed on Haiti by international financial institutions (i.e., the World Bank and International Monetary Fund) since the 1980s, such as currency devaluation and trade liberalization, negated Haitian agricultural performance and the capacity of the Haitian state to manage the economy, thus exacerbating the current food crisis.
Part of a special journal issue dedicated to strategies for societal renewal in Haiti., It's not the earthquake that kills people, it's the collapse of buildings that were poorly designed and built. This case narrative describes a building model that will work for Haiti and why it is critical to use a homeowner-driven model rather than a donor-driven one.
Part of a special journal issue dedicated to strategies for societal renewal in Haiti., The global community has an obligation to ensure that the reconstruction of Haiti's infrastructure increases economic resilience by adding value to existing assets and reducing vulnerability to external shocks, whether from natural disasters like earthquakes or man-made crises like spiking energy prices. This paper highlights a strategy for coordination across the development process, identifying the roles different partner groups can play, and identifying several priorities for that coordinated effort as the rebuilding process gets underway.
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
23 p., Argues that now is the moment to lift Haiti from under the dust and rubble and transform it into a less vulnerable and more equitable nation. The opportunity must not be lost.
Katz,Ethan (Author) and Boscov-Ellen,Daniel (Author)
Format:
Pamphlet
Publication Date:
2010-04-14
Published:
Council on Hemispheric Affairs
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
12 p., Over the last few months there has been a surfeit of talk in the international community over what should be done for Haiti. However, in almost all of these discussions Haiti's historical context is completely excised -- It is almost as if the country had only come into being as a result of January's earthquake. This collective amnesia is damning since the devastating nature of these natural disasters cannot be understood apart from over two centuries of Haiti's colonial and postcolonial subjugation, foreign occupation, economic exploitation, and the degrading conditions faced by most of its population.
The Haiti earthquake prompted offers to send aid and assistance in various forms from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and private foundations. The need for manpower on the ground to orchestrate the relief effort brought together military forces from the world over, to include the United States, which stood up Joint Task Force-Haiti (JTF-H). The combined effort of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and JTF-H in providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Haiti following the earthquake demonstrates the importance of developing strong relationships, both institutional and personal, with partner nation armies.
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
46 p., In the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake of January 12, 2010, Haiti will receive unprecedented aid for reconstruction and for its promising economic strategy; but given the country's legacy of corruption, massive aid could simply result in another massive Haitian failure. As explored in this paper, success hinges on facing corruption squarely and developing a hard-headed, politically sensitive anticorruption strategy.
During the summer of 2009 a survey was conducted of 1,800 households in metropolitan Port-au-Prince. Six weeks after the earthquake, an attempt was made re-interview these households. The questionnaire examined mortality and injuries generated by the natural disaster, as well as the character of victimization, food security and living arrangements following the quake.
Part of a special journal issue dedicated to strategies for societal renewal in Haiti., The Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group is one of the few small- and medium-sized enterprise financing organizations currently operating in Haiti. It hopes to incubate independent, locally owned Haitian enterprises that can serve the needs of local communities using appropriate technology. More capital is needed in the country to help establish opportunities for future private-sector investment.
Examines Haiti's past, present and future sustainability based on a thorough cause and effect analysis of the country's current situation, research on relevant social and economic factors, years of field experience, as well as training and consulting for businesses, political parties and non-profit organisations. In addition to identifying the current major core conflicts of Haiti, the article also suggests solutions to various social, economical and environmental issues.
This paper utilizes both narrative analysis and statistical techniques in an investigation of the principle of cumulative causation to explain underdevelopment, relative poverty and spatial disparities on Hispaniola. The events that explain this process in the underdevelopment of Hispaniola have resulted in a tragically downward spiral in Haiti, placing its future in great peril. The Dominican Republic is relatively better off than its neighbor; however, the shortage of basic services, poverty and malnutrition are quite prevalent in the Dominican Republic.
In the 1980s, the Haitian economy was subordinated within global capitalism through a dual strategy centered on assembly plants in the cities and laissez-faire agricultural policies. Today this strategy is back in the form of a "reconstruction" plan.
Despite efforts towards greater poverty relief and neoliberalism, countries with hundreds of millions of inhabitants are not simply falling behind in a global march toward ever-greater prosperity: they are heading in the wrong direction, spiraling down on their own paths of retrogression. The cases of Haiti and sub-Saharan Africa are highlighted.
Fortin,Henri (Author), Barros,Ana Cristina Hirata (Author), and Cutler,Kit (Author)
Format:
Book, Whole
Publication Date:
2010
Published:
Washington, DC: World Bank
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
164 p., Transparent and reliable corporate financial reporting underpins much of the Latin America and Caribbean development agenda, from private-sector-led growth to enhanced financial stability, facilitating access to finance for small and medium enterprises, and furthering economic integration.For nearly 10 years, the World Bank has prepared diagnostic Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSCs) on Accounting and Auditing (A and A) at the country level. In Latin America and the Caribbean, ROSC A and A reports have been completed for 17 countries. This book takes a step back and seeks to distill lessons from a regional perspective.
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
23 p., The Caribbean Basin has benefited from multiple preferential trade arrangements, the first being the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), passed by Congress in the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act of 1983 followed by the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) of 2000, which provides tariff preferences for imports of apparel products, and the Haiti HOPE Act of 2006 (amended in 2008 and 2010), which gives even more generous preferences to imports of Haitian apparel.
Mendoza,Eduardo (Author) and Moreira,Mauricio Mesquita (Author)
Format:
Book, Whole
Publication Date:
Aug 2010
Published:
Inter-American Development Bank
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
74 p., This paper draws on the literature on trade, growth and regional agreements to discuss the motivation behind the Caribbean drive for integration, the results obtained so far and what is in stock for the future. It argues, with the help of descriptive statistics, an empirical growth model and a gravity model, that the traditional, trade related gains from regional integration have been and are bound to be limited because of (1) the countries' high openness; (2) the limited size of the "common", enlarged market; and (3) the countries' relatively similar factor endowments.
Santo,Charles Andrew (Editor) and Mildner,Gerard C. S. (Editor)
Format:
Book, Edited
Publication Date:
2010
Published:
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
267 p, Chapter 12, American Baseball and the Global Labor Market, includes Charles A. Santo's "Resistance and Hegemony in the Caribbean," "Shared History and Parallel Development of Caribbean Baseball," "Dominican Dependency, Underdevelopment, and Exploitation," "Cuban Nationalism and Resistance."
The privatized, top-down approach to aid delivery in the camps for displaced Haitians has made possible all manner of abuse and coercion. Haitian activists are responding by demanding their human rights, even as they challenge dominant conceptions of those rights.
Part of a special journal issue dedicated to strategies for societal renewal in Haiti., Provides an account of the efforts by a humanitarian organization's efforts ot reestablish connectivity for other humanitarian organizations working in Haiti after the recent devastating earthquake. It outlines its plans for continued efforts to bring better infrastructure to the rest of the country, accelerate disaster preparedness efforts, improve the quality of education and health-care training and delivery, enable business development, and improve accountability and transparency for local government and organization.
