Perspectives on Perspectives on cooperation for cooperation for

development in Haitidevelopment in Haiti

FLACSO, Argentina, July 2008FLACSO, Argentina, July 2008

Antonio Jorge Ramalho da Rocha

University of Brasília

•State-building, failed states, ideas & ideas of interests•The case of Haiti: deep values & institutions•Social processes, political practices & reasons for scepticism•Self-evident changes & reasons for optimism•Why do we want want to foster cooperation with Haiti?

Agenda

State-building, failed states, ideas & ideas of interests

One example: Fukuyama's discussion on state-buildingWestern liberal democracies have failed to “transplant” institutions & practices to developing countries.Hence, one may consider local practices, elites may take responsibility for changes, design & set up projects, etc.Contradictions: the possibility of “transplanting” institutions presupposes a vacuum & the will to changeLocal values & practices may be precisely against the procedures proposed by IOs, NGOs,

The case of Haiti: deep values & institutions

Short-termism Deep individualism Absence of a public

sphere The state as a tool to

get privileges Authoritarianism Personal politics: no

rules, no institutions Marronage But, great creativity

& faith

Social processes, political practices & reasons for scepticism

Key agents – governments, local elites, IOs, NGOs – are more interested in the problems than in the solutionsThe “je-men-foutisme” & the “pa-fote-mwenisme”Extremely skillful elites, helped by prejudices from foreignersEveryone learned to profit from the international presenceWays to get out: change class or emigrate (out of the 7 engineers formed in 2006, 1 remained in the country)Lack of political leadership

Self-evident changes & reasons for optimism

The flows of globalisation: information, finance & trade Internet & cell phones: advantages of backwardness The indirect role of the diaspora Préval's decision to nominate M. Pierre-Louis After all, democracy works: some demands reach

Congress, some proposals are reasonableCaveats The oral tradition & the lack of objectivity Foreigners have been there too long The security situation is fragile. Wait for late August

Why do we want want to foster cooperation with Haiti?

To create a sustainable Haiti, to serve each agent's interests or to fulfill countries' foreign policies?

Once we know... Take technical people there Focus on the technologies

that empower people Decentralize Small steps & standards! Try horizontal cooperation Strengthen the women