Social Resilience and State Fragility in Haiti (Country Studies) (World Bank Country Study)

Haiti is a resilient society whose rural communities in particular have developed coping mechanisms in response to a long history of underdevelopment and political instability. The country's religious, cultural, and artistic life is highly diverse and vibrant. Like other fragile states, however, Haiti is also beset by widespread poverty, inequality, economic decline, unemployment, poor governance, and violence. This Country Study examines Haiti's conflict-poverty trap from the perspective of the triangle of factors that have been identified as its main components: (a) demographic and socioeconomic factors at the individual and household levels; (b) the state's institutional capacity to provide public goods and manage social risks; and (c) the agendas and strategies of political actors. The report's three main chapters explore the nature of these components. The closing chapter considers the linkages among them. Haiti is a society whose rural communities in particular have developed coping mechanisms in response to a long history of underdevelopment and political instability. Like other fragile states, however, Haiti is also beset by widespread poverty, inequality, economic decline, unemployment, poor governance, and violence. This Country Study examines Haiti's conflict-poverty trap from the perspective of the triangle of factors that have been identified as its main components: (a) demographic and socioeconomic factors at the individual and household levels; (b) the state's institutional capacity to provide public goods and manage social risks; and (c) the agendas and strategies of political actors. The report's three main chapters explore the nature of these components. The closing chapter considers the linkages among them.--Publisher's description. The World Bank's support in fostering growth and reducing poverty has contributed to the considerable economic success of MIC countries. But to produce greater development benefits, it has to become more agile and draw upon MICs' own capacity much more systematically, connecting such capabilities to help low-income countries and to tackle global challenges. The Bank's work has to more clearly demonstrate best practice to deliver impact beyond its limited direct role by Dorte Verner by Dorte Verner -- by Willy Egset and Stephanie Kuttner by Dorte Verner -- by Willy Egset and Stephanie Kuttner -- by Dan Erikson ... [et al.] by Dorte Verner-- by Willy Egset and Stephanie Kuttner-- by Dan Erikson ... [et al.]-- by Dorte Verner, Stephanie Kuttner, and Willy Egset Introduction -- Relevance Of The Bank's Work -- Effectiveness Of The Bank's Country Programs -- Sharing And Use Of Knowledge. World Bank Independent Evaluation Group. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 123-125).