Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies

Dominican Republic and Haiti: Country Studies
have existed for centuries in form if not in substance, have generally
done little except assist the chief of state in obtaining
whatever he wished.
More than a decade after 1986's pivotal event, which
unleashed the country's pent-up desire to modernize its government
and politics, there remains the fundamental challenge
to move from a political culture based on the presidency
to one based on democracy. As Haiti's political institutions have
strengthened themselves, governmental structure and function
have begun to decentralize and devolve certain responsibilities
from Port-au-Prince. As a result, separation of powers has
gained real meaning, and the supremacy of the presidency has
begun to decline. President Preval has endured much criticism—from
both within and beyond Haiti—as a weak president.
Although few would argue that he lacks the charisma of
his predecessor, it is also true that his is the first administration
to confront fully the realities of the constitutionally weakened
presidency. As Haiti moves toward the election of Preval's successor,
the weakened presidency may be challenged by the
return ofJean-Bertrand Aristide.
Perceptions of Democracy
After the fall ofJean-Claude Duvalier in 1986, talk of democracy
was everywhere in Haiti. Average Haitians expected that
life would improve dramatically with the muzzle of dictatorship
gone and democracy at their doorstep. For most Haitians, however,
democracy was an abstract concept. They had not experienced
anything close to real democracy, having been excluded
from a voice in the political process. The political role models
for most Haitians emerged during the Duvalier era. For many,
notions of democracy meant only a change in the factions and
the personalities of the people in power. For others, democracy
meant their finally being able to take their turn at the spoils system.
Some people believed that democracy meant an opportunity
to do what one pleased—liberty without responsibility.
Many felt that a democracy should provide everyone with jobs,
food, and material goods.
Between 1986 and 1991, Haitians had an opportunity to
become better acquainted with the concept of democracy
through their participation in a constitutional referendum and
in election processes, and through their involvement in a spectrum
of political organizations, whose activities ranged from
neighborhood committees to political parties. They also had an
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