The Dominican Republic

This timely introduction to the Dominican Republic places the nation's current eco- nomic and political crises in perspective. As a dependent state, the Dominican Republic has benefitted little from its abundant natural resources. Important decisions concerning land use, resource exploitation and levels of sophistication have been made beyond the country's borders since the turn of the century and with little regard for the nation's people. To this day, the Dominican Republic remains reliant on markets and prices it can- not control, loans it cannot repay and imported food it cannot afford.Although the country has experienced an- archy, civilian uprising and U.S. occupation, the last two decades have witnessed prom- ising developments in the Dominican Republic's internal political process. A labor movement has emerged. Women and students have organized and are taking a more active role in the country's future. But the economy's downward spiral since the reintroduction of constitutional rule in 1978 has generated doubts that democracy can survive.Drawing on 20 years involvement in the history of the Dominican Republic, Jan Knippers Black addresses the political tension generated by the contradictory demands of the country's own impoverished population and of representatives of U.S. political, military and economic interests.This book will appeal to those interested in Latin American and international relations as well as individuals concerned with the broader question of the economic and political development of Third World countries.