ABSTRACT

The significance of good governance and social development within developing countries has become intertwined with ‘human security’ in the decade since the term was first coined in 1994.1 This contribution focuses on the case of Haiti, which, in its 201 years of independence, has been plagued by poverty, violence, instability and dictatorship. In 1986, a military coup ended 29 years of authoritarian rule by the Duvalier family, and a military government ruled for nearly the next eight years.2 The prevalence of military or authoritarian governments has been a common factor in creating barely functioning political institutions and limited accountability of government. To this day, Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty per cent of Haitians live in abject poverty. The literacy rate is a mere 53 per cent.3 Haitians face an average life expectancy of 53 years due to miserable living conditions, high levels of violence, AIDS and chronic malnourishment. Combining measures of income, life expectancy, school enrolment and literacy, of 177 countries worldwide ranked by the 2004 UNDP Human Development Report, Haiti ranked 153.4 The combination of a legacy of weak government institutions, a strong military and the poverty and violence suffered by Haitian citizens created a dire need for effective reforms, security and development.