Haiti's Turmoil: Politics and Policy Under Aristide and Clinton (WPF Report #32)

When President Clinton’s forcefully-backed initiative restored democratically-elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power in 1994, Haiti seemed poised to prosper politically and economically. The poorest part of the Americas had promises of abundant international funding, plus UN, OAS, and U.S. assurances of medium-term capacity building efforts. Everyone except the departing military junta wanted Aristide and Haiti to succeed.

Sadly, success has proved elusive. That Haiti still suffers from its rulers and ruling classes, and that President Aristide’s leadership has failed to unite Haitians or to evoke continuing support from the international community, greatly concerns policy makers and everyone who wishes better for the Haitian people.

This report is a commentary on Haiti’s recent vicissitudes and on the policy choices that were made before and during the Clinton and Aristide presidencies. Haiti deserves more effective leaders and more successful policies.