Politics and the Economy in Haiti: History and Overview

History of Haiti

Officially known as the Republic of Haiti, this Caribbean country is characterized by a long and troubled history. It began in 1492, when the island was discovered by Christopher Columbus. At that time, the land was inhabited by a population of Tainos — meaning "men of the good" — a people recognized for their kindness. The Tainos occupying what is today Haiti were the most culturally developed among them, having established a flourishing civilization well before Columbus's arrival (Discover Haiti).

With the discovery of 1492, the entire island of Hispaniola passed under Spanish control. Two centuries later, the French battled the Spanish for occupation of the island, and the dispute was settled through the signing of the Treaty of Ryswick, which divided the island into two sections — one controlled by the French and one by the Spanish. The French occupation proved extremely harsh for the island's inhabitants. Haiti had become France's primary supplier of sugar, rum, wood, cotton, and coffee, and an estimated 500,000 people were enslaved. The native population, along with the African slaves who had been brought to the island, rebelled against the French occupiers. Some took drastic measures, such as poisoning their masters, killing their own children to spare them from a life of slavery, or participating in mass suicides (Discover Haiti).

In 1791, a war of liberation commenced. It lasted 13 years, and while the principal enemy was Napoleon's army, victory was delayed by the intervention of Spanish and British forces, which supported France. Nevertheless, the people succeeded in defeating slavery and colonialism, and in 1804 Haiti emerged as the first black independent republic in the world. Peace did not last, however, as internal conflicts erupted in 1807. Following the death of the emperor, the country was divided into two republics — one led by Henry Christophe and the other by Alexandre Pétion. Witnessing social turmoil and betrayed by his own men, Christophe committed suicide and was replaced by Jean-Pierre Boyer. Boyer subsequently assumed command of the southern part of Haiti upon Pétion's death, an outcome that allowed him to reunite the two halves into a single country. He took control of the entire island and defeated the remaining Spanish forces still claiming occupation.

The years that followed were difficult, as the international community refused to recognize Haiti's independence. This situation was driven largely by fears that other colonies might follow the Haitian example. The United States of America ultimately recognized Haiti as an independent state in 1862. Five decades later, however, the United States became an occupying force, and its presence lasted 19 years. The U.S. formed the Army of Haiti, stating a desire to maintain peace and stability. For the years that followed, whoever controlled the army controlled the country (Discover Haiti).

In subsequent decades, Haiti's history was shaped by conflicts with the Dominican Republic and by the presidency of the corrupt François Duvalier, who killed or exiled tens of thousands of Haitians. Upon his death, the role of head of state passed to his son, but the population grew increasingly unsettled by the oppression it endured. "Baby Duvalier" eventually fled the country, and the presidency passed through a series of individuals with brief tenures. Civil conflicts have continued through the present day, though they are no longer focused solely on human rights — economic policy has become an equally contentious arena (Embassy of Haiti at Washington D.C., 2009).

Much like the country's history, Haiti's political climate is turbulent, with power concentrated in the hands of the few who do not always act in the interest of the broader population. One might expect the country's political system to be relatively advanced, given its distinction as the first black republic to declare independence. Yet over the years, the Haitian political system has fallen behind the development of other nations. The main factors cited for this situation include the model of authoritarian rule implemented by successive leaders, the absence of well-developed governmental institutions, and sustained military occupations (Haggerty, 1989). Some improvements followed the election of René Préval — notably a reduction in corruption — though its intensity remains significant at all levels of government, including the armed forces.

From a governmental standpoint, Haiti is divided into ten administrative departments: Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, and Sud-Est. The legal system is based on Roman civil law, and Haiti has accepted the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. The country's constitution was first enacted in 1987, but it was subsequently undermined by various coups. It was reinstated in May 2006, the same month Préval was elected President.

Elections are held every five years, and the president is chosen by popular vote. Préval secured the presidency having won just over 51% of the electorate. Together with Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive and the cabinet selected by both, they constitute the Haitian executive branch. The legislative branch is formed by the bicameral National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale), which consists of the Senate with 30 members and the Chamber of Deputies with 99 members. While all members of the legislative branch are chosen by popular vote, their terms vary: members of the Chamber of Deputies serve six years; the most popular senator in a department serves six years; the second-ranked senator serves four years; and the third-ranked senatorial candidate serves two years (Central Intelligence Agency, 2009).

Politics of Haiti

Despite this apparently structured political system, the country continues to struggle. Civil rebellions still occur, and leaders have suppressed them through military force. In April 2008, for instance, five people were killed in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and several others were wounded by gunfire when demonstrators attempted to storm the national palace — an incident that was far from isolated. President Préval faced the dual challenge of civil unrest and the global economic crisis, which generated severe impacts on the country. The population found in the crisis — and in the resulting rise in food prices — a new reason to condemn the political regime. This effectively put at risk the political progress achieved under the Préval administration, which had generally been reflected in reduced violent confrontations and in sustained partnerships with international institutions focused on human rights and economic development. While the full impact of the crisis on political stability could not be entirely measured, it was clear that "the effects of a global food shortage in a country already suffering from a profound structural crisis could seriously undermine all the achievements made to date by Minustah and the international community" (Gauthier, 2008).

On the list of 266 global economies, Haiti is ranked 145th, with a gross domestic product of $11.53 billion, reflecting sustained growth trends since 2005. The income per capita is $1,300, placing the country 203rd in the world. As in the global economy more broadly, the trend in Haiti has been toward a greater share of output from the services sector at the expense of agriculture. Services account for 52% of national output, followed by agriculture at 28% and industry at 20%. Despite the growth of services, most Haitians rely on agricultural activity for both employment and food. Some 66% of the entire Haitian labor force works in agriculture, 25% in services, and only 9% in industry (Central Intelligence Agency).

Agricultural output consists primarily of coffee, cocoa beans, mangoes, rice, corn, sugar, sorghum, pulses, and other vegetables and fruit — commodities that must be traded in the international marketplace to meet domestic food needs. The industrial sector produces apparel, electronic components, furniture, processed foods, steel, chemicals, beverages, and tobacco products. The services sector generates revenue from tourism and hospitality, commerce, and government-related activities (Travel Document Systems, 2009).

Haiti's exports total approximately $490 million, ranking the country 163rd globally. Export commodities include apparel and manufactured goods, alongside cocoa beans, oils, and coffee. The large majority of exports — roughly 70% — are destined for the United States, with most of the remainder going to the Dominican Republic and Canada. Imports amount to approximately $2.107 billion, making Haiti the 147th largest importer in the world. Imported goods include foods, manufactured items, machinery, fuels, transport equipment, and raw materials. The main sources of these imports are the United States (34%), the Dominican Republic (23.1%), the Netherlands Antilles (10.6%), and China (4.5%).

Behind these figures, Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty percent of the total population lives below the poverty line, and 54% live in abject poverty. Over 60% of the population depends directly on agriculture for food sustainability. Massive deforestation, combined with recurring natural hazards — most commonly tropical storms — further degrades living standards (Central Intelligence Agency).

While precise unemployment statistics are difficult to establish, it is estimated that roughly half of the Haitian population is currently without work. Haiti is also characterized by high levels of underemployment, and the combined unemployed and underemployed population is estimated to represent 85% of the total (Maps of World, 2009). Throughout history, the international community has attempted to support Haiti's economic revival, though internal conflicts have repeatedly discouraged such efforts. Starting in 2005, the Haitian economy entered a period of positive growth. As the global financial crisis took hold, however, the national economy was once again tested. Rising prices and inflation not only reduced living standards but also threatened, as one analyst observed, "their very physical survival" (Joshi, 2009).

Haiti's political and economic difficulties are deeply rooted in a history of colonial exploitation, authoritarian governance, and external interference. The country's status as the first black republic to achieve independence has not shielded it from persistent institutional weakness, widespread poverty, and vulnerability to external shocks. With 80% of the population living below the poverty line and the majority of workers dependent on agriculture, the stakes of political instability are fundamentally material. The interconnection between political dysfunction and economic underdevelopment means that progress in either domain depends heavily on advances in the other — a challenge that continues to define Haiti's path forward.

Conclusion

The World Factbook — Haiti. Central Intelligence Agency, 2009. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ha.html. Accessed December 4, 2009.