An analysis of the historical reasons underlying Haitian socio-economic and political backwardness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62910/transame25005Keywords:
Haiti; Haitian Revolution; Poverty; Public Policies; Economic developmentAbstract
Haiti was the first nation in Latin America and the second in the Americas to achieve independence through the Haitian Revolution, a movement uniquely characterized by its anti-slavery, anti-segregationist, and anti-racist nature. Despite this historical milestone, more than two centuries later, the country has not yet fully emancipated itself from foreign domination and continues to face significant socio-economic and structural backwardness. This state of affairs is evidenced by chronic poverty, political instability, recurrent natural disasters, and insufficient infrastructure—factors that collectively explain Haiti's widespread impoverishment and constrained economic development. Currently, poverty indices remain critical, with a vast majority of the population enduring precarious living conditions and limited access to essential services. This study aims to demonstrate how Haiti transitioned from a prosperous and wealthy colony into one of the world's poorest nations. It argues that this reversal is the result of a system of foreign domination that persisted through alternative mechanisms, evolving beyond the traditional frameworks of colonialism.
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