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Perspectives on cooperation for development in Haiti FLACSO, Argentina, July 2008

Perspectives on cooperation for development in Haiti FLACSO, Argentina, July 2008 Antonio Jorge Ramalho da Rocha University of Brasília. Agenda. State-building, failed states, ideas & ideas of interests The case of Haiti: deep values & institutions

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Perspectives on cooperation for development in Haiti FLACSO, Argentina, July 2008

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  1. Perspectives on cooperation for development in Haiti FLACSO, Argentina, July 2008 Antonio Jorge Ramalho da Rocha University of Brasília

  2. Agenda • 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?

  3. State-building, failed states, ideas & ideas of interests One example: Fukuyama's discussion on state-building Western 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 change Local values & practices may be precisely against the procedures proposed by IOs, NGOs,

  4. 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

  5. Social processes, political practices & reasons for scepticism Key agents – governments, local elites, IOs, NGOs – are more interested in the problems than in the solutions The “je-men-foutisme” & the “pa-fote-mwenisme” Extremely skillful elites, helped by prejudices from foreigners Everyone learned to profit from the international presence Ways to get out: change class or emigrate (out of the 7 engineers formed in 2006, 1 remained in the country)‏ Lack of political leadership

  6. 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 reasonable Caveats The oral tradition & the lack of objectivity Foreigners have been there too long The security situation is fragile. Wait for late August

  7. 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

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