Considering Haiti’s deteriorating conditions, many in the international community are chiming in with critiques and proposals. Some suggestions have merit, while others are misinformed, too short-termed, or are altogether dangerous. Fewer yet are coordinated. It is arguable that any truly see the Haitian people.
According to Shenai, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala are entangled in a governance trap, which he defines as “a path-dependent equilibrium in which weak states with contested authority fail to penetrate civil society and achieve self-sustaining economic growth
The Caribbean has long enjoyed a reputation for being one of the most democratic regions in the world. Despite the Caribbean’s seeming confidence in the ballot, however, countries in the region nevertheless face considerable challenges in keeping their democracies alive. Elections alone do not make a democracy; rather, there are many other factors that must be taken into consideration in order to ensure good governance.
The current situation in Haiti raises concern regarding the status of the country’s democracy, leaving the international community to evaluate their possible role in the Caribbean nation’s governance crisis.
Suriname’s governance deficiencies have been well-documented by a multilateral organizations citing it for corruption, nepotism, and drug trafficking, but this does not necessarily mean that the country has not made any progress in fighting corruption and reaching toward a higher quality of governance.
Guyana’s economy is projected to grow by 26 percent in 2020, but the country will need more than just money alone to affect much needed changes in governance frameworks, inhuman capital, and transparency.
Suriname faces challenges to improve its anti-corruption and anti-money laundering capabilities. However, a number of technical and financial sources stand ready to assist.
Good governance is no small task, but anti-corruption and accountability measures could be worth their weight in gold for the Caribbean.
For the Guyanese, moving forward together will be difficult, but not leaving anyone behind may be even more so.
While President Ali’s election is a victory for the country’s democratic electoral process, the burden of good governance will bring a number of challenges.
