A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

Has independence meant greater or lesser political power and economic power for Belizeans?

Yes..explain..no..give examples. What things have changed? What things have stayed the same? Why?

Edith Ake

Belize Adventist Junior College

Has independence meant greater or lesser political power and economic power for Belizeans?

A British Crown Colony since 1862, Belize was declared an independent nation from on

September 21st, 1981 and celebrations run from ‘St Georges Caye Day’ on September 10th right

up until Independence Day.

Independence Day celebrations are certainly testament to the Belizeans’ love of a good party,

with flags proudly flying, vibrant parades, lively dancing and a multitude of food stalls serving

up delicious local foods.

But the question remains was it something good for the government and the people of

Belize to gain its independence? When Belize became independent in 1981, the world was

undergoing one of the worst economic crises in its history. Virtually all countries of the world

and especially small developing countries were strongly affected by the sharpest economic

decline since World War II. World GDP growth that averaged around 4 percent in the 1970s fell

to just over 2 percent in 1980 and further dropped to 1.2 percent in 1981. Oil prices sharply

increased as world trade fell. This adverse situation also placed Belize on the brink of economic

collapse. Prices of its major exports fell drastically on the world market. For example, sugar,

which comprised over 60 percent of Belize’s exports and which showed US 30 cents per pound

in the spot market in 1980, fell to US 7 cents per pound in 1984. Belize’s gross domestic product

fell so drastically so low Belize had to find ways to stand making agreements with IMF which is

an organization of 189 countries that try to secure financial stability. The Belizean economy has

remained vulnerable since that time, due in part to rising import prices and declining prices for

its export products. Despite significant increases in production and exportation, particularly in
Has independence meant greater or lesser political power and economic power for Belizeans?

citrus and shrimp production, the value of domestic exports in Belize has remained mostly flat

because of declining market prices. Perhaps one of the most significant developments in the

Belizean economy since independence has been the growth of the tourism sector, which

originally had its roots in small-scale, adventure or nature-based recreation activities. Belize is

particularly well endowed with tourism resources, including the second-largest barrier reef

system in the world, numerous limestone caves, and tropical rainforests. The barrier reef was one

of the earliest attractions, and the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker have hosted

visitors for snorkelling, underwater diving, and other water sports enthusiasts for decades.

Significant resort and hotel development in the town of San Pedro has made it the country’s

largest tourist destination, and more recently, a destination for foreign retirees and migrant

expatriates. Tourism has expanded rapidly in recent years. But in general after independence

Belize has not found the stability other countries have. It may just well be that our leaders don’t

get involved o see the wellbeing of the country but just the wellbeing of their pockets, corruption

is a good point to set in charge for the under development of Belize, but not the only one also we

as Belizean have been negligent and not patriotic for the country we wanted for ourselves. We

should push if the leaders are not doing nothing push them obliged them to do it, it’s our country.

If we were more innovative and self-loving we would be in other conditions of this blessed

country. In my opinion I see Belize went down when it gained independence it was not mentally

nor finically capable of sustaining its self and if it was they did not know how to conduct the

economy of the newly independent country.

Has independence meant greater or lesser political power and economic power for Belizeans?

Reference

http://amandala.com.bz/news/belize-independent-sold-re-colonized/

https://www.belize.com/belize-the-road-to-independence.html