FOR COUNTRY, NATION, AND COLONY
What makes a nation? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of a nation is “A large aggregate of communities and individuals united by factors such as common descent, language, culture, history, or occupation of the same territory, so as to form a distinct people.” (Oxford, 2016) Nation refers to “the population within, sharing a common culture, language, and ethnicity with a strong historical continuity. This manifests itself in most members in a sentiment of collective communal identity” (McLean, 1996) (Duany, 2002). An alternative would be a nation-state, which “implies an international system of pure sovereign entity, relating to each other legally as equals” or even a state that refers to “the political organization that displays sovereignty both within geographic borders and in relation to other sovereign entities.” (McLean, 1996)
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What makes a colony? In turn, colonialism is the policy and practice of a stronger power extending its control territorially over a weaker nation or people (McLean, 1996). A colony is commonly known as a group of people within a set area or designated district controlled by a father country. This group of people may be a firmly established nation with their own culture, language, and history but are not respected enough to be a country. In the common use of the term colony, there is a derogatory connotation to the term due to the imperialist abuse of the proprietor towards their colonies. (Pico, 2006) This abuse was mainly the taking of resources for the benefit of the mainland and the deterioration of the colonies.
By definition, a colony could be a nation similar or completely different to the mainland. This is the case of Puerto Rico. (Pico, 2006) |
A Stateless Nation
What does it mean to be the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico? In reality the named commonwealth of Puerto Rico describes as freely associated to the United States is clearly defined as a territory of the United States.(Carrión, 1983) (ushistoryscene.com) As territory of the USA Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States, our passports are from the USA, we have the same currency, US postal service and armed forces. Puerto Ricans have fought and given their lives in each and every war since WWI. Our judicial system responds to the USA Federal Court and the Federal Court decisions and laws apply to the island. (The Militant, 1998) On the other hand, being a commonwealth is a semiautonomous state. Both English and Spanish are the official languages. There has been a semi autonomous local government.
Puerto Ricans who reside on the island do not pay federal taxes and do not vote for the president of the US in the elections. (Carrión, 1983) They do have the right to vote in the US presidential primaries. But if you are Puerto Rican living in the mainland you do pay federal taxes and have the right to vote in the presidential elections.
Puerto Ricans who reside on the island do not pay federal taxes and do not vote for the president of the US in the elections. (Carrión, 1983) They do have the right to vote in the US presidential primaries. But if you are Puerto Rican living in the mainland you do pay federal taxes and have the right to vote in the presidential elections.
Puerto Rico has limited representation in the US Congress as the representatives only have voice but no voting rights. Puerto Rico, rich in its culture, as a “stateless nation” still has independent participation internationally: its own flag, its own Miss Universe participant, and its own Olympic teams. (Schwarz, 2005) (Carrión, 1983)
Despite this back and forth PR is a territory of the US. According to the Article IV Section 3.2 of the US Constitution (Constitute, 1992) “The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other properties belonging to the USA…”. PR is a stateless nation, PR is not a sovereign country, PR is not a state, PR it is a territory of the US.
Despite this back and forth PR is a territory of the US. According to the Article IV Section 3.2 of the US Constitution (Constitute, 1992) “The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other properties belonging to the USA…”. PR is a stateless nation, PR is not a sovereign country, PR is not a state, PR it is a territory of the US.
What led to this?
Puerto Rico is a small Caribbean island, 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, the smallest of the Great Antilles. What it lacks in size, it makes up in beauty, flavor, and passion. All the islands of Great Antilles Archipelago are the tops of volcanic mountains that sank underwater millions of years ago. Puerto Rico’s location, between North and South America, as well as between Europe and the New World, rendered it very important in commerce and defense to the world powers during the last 5 centuries.(Scarano, 1993) The island was called “Key of the Antilles“ during the Spanish colonization, as control point of maritime commerce of the Caribbean. It became the Vigilance Center of the Caribbean and South West Atlantic Ocean during World War II, at which time multiple military bases were established in the island.
The island underwent four centuries of Spanish colonization. (Helps, 1900) During this time Taínos were forced to work mining gold, and the capital was a central location for transshipment of gold and silver to Spain from Puerto Rico and South America. (Scarano, 1993) As the mines became depleted, the sugar cane industry was developed. The local Taínos and Jíbaros from the island were not enough to work the land, and African slaves were brought to work the fields.(Pico, 2006) During this time most of the monetary benefit went to the colonizing Spaniards and foreigners. The locals were mostly laborers that lived in poor unhealthy conditions.
The Unites States of America had unsuccessfully attempted to buy PR and Cuba form Spain in 1869. (Scarano, 1993) But in 1898 the USA declared war on Spain, the Spanish American War. General Nelson Appleton Miles conquered Puerto Rico in 19 days.(Pico, 2006) In August 12, 1898 a peace treaty was signed between USA and Spain and PR was handed over as USA territory. Most Puerto Ricans welcomed the US forces given the precarious state of the island and the locals with under Spanish rule. In 1948, Luis Muñoz Marin was the first elected governor of Puerto Rico. Just the year before in 1947, the PR Industrial Incentive Act was approved by US congress giving tax exemption incentives to industries. (Scarano, 1993) The Operation Bootstrap invited American and Foreign companies to set up manufacturing operations in PR. The local government would provide the necessary land sites and buildings; low cost labor was available (unemployment >30%), no active labor unions, protected by the safety of US laws, currency & mail, stable democratic government. (Scarano, 1993) In addition the product was sent back to US market with no import fees or restrictions. The profits were exempt of local, state or federal taxes.
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Peaceful Taínos aborigines initially populated the island. (Scarano, 1993) They were family oriented tribes that lived from fishing and agriculture; and loved music, dancing and games. Their name for Puerto Rico was Boriquen.
Christopher Columbus arrived to Puerto Rico’s shores for the first time on his second trip to the New World on November 19, 1493 and named the island San Juan Bautista and named the capital city Puerto Rico.(Helps, 1900) Later those names were exchanged to what is today the island of Puerto Rico and its capital San Juan. Puerto Rico was named a US territory. What did that mean? Two important acts defined the islands situation. (Scarano, 1993) The Foraker Act of 1900 regulated political and economic relations between PR and USA and organized a civil government, where the US president appointed all governors. (Pico, 2006) In The Jones Act of 1917 the US Congress grants Puerto Ricans US citizenship and provided for the creation of a local senate.
During the first 30 years as US territory, 1899-1929, there was a rapid economic development mostly related to sugar and tobacco crops. (Helps, 1900) (Pico, 2006) But chaos ensued with a couple of strong hurricanes that swept through the island, san Felipe in 1928 and San Cyprian in 1933. President Roosevelt established the Puerto Rico Emergency Relief Association, which provided funds and help to clean up after the hurricanes and to develop infrastructure including public works, housing, roads, and economic and agricultural diversification. (Scarano, 1993) What else would a capitalist want? Add the palm trees, beaches, mountains and climate of the beautiful PR Island. (Scarano, 1993) The island went from agriculture to industrialization in a decade, bringing with it an incredible social and economic development.
In 1952 PR was declared THE COMMONWEALTH OF PR. (Scarano, 1993) Since then the island has diversified its economy into commerce and services. |
The People The Suffering
PR's Status Forcing Economic Distress
Being a territory has limited the economic development of Puerto Rico as it has depended on the will of the US Congress.(Scarano, 1993) Puerto Rico is limited economically, as it has no control over its international commerce, maritime transport, or currency. In 2006 Congress eliminated the tax incentives that brought US and foreign companies and manufacturing corporations to Puerto Rico that created jobs.
Puerto Rico has entered into an economic recession since then. The Puerto Rico government has balanced the budget with loans to provide essential services. The public debt has risen to about 70 billion dollars, making it very difficult to pay.(Vocero, 2016) Congress has also limited the options of debt restructuring as it eliminated the ability to apply the Chapter 9 Federal Bankruptcy Law to Puerto Rico since 1984.(Scarano, 1993) The fiscal crisis has also been the result of alternating bipartisan political parties that have been characterized by corruption, lack of merit system and error in decisions.
Given this situation Puerto Rico’s government defaulted on the payment of the public debt; and with this action they violated the PR constitutional debt priority provision. PR constitution states that if in economic difficulty the public debt is the first to be paid before all other payments.
Puerto Rico has entered into an economic recession since then. The Puerto Rico government has balanced the budget with loans to provide essential services. The public debt has risen to about 70 billion dollars, making it very difficult to pay.(Vocero, 2016) Congress has also limited the options of debt restructuring as it eliminated the ability to apply the Chapter 9 Federal Bankruptcy Law to Puerto Rico since 1984.(Scarano, 1993) The fiscal crisis has also been the result of alternating bipartisan political parties that have been characterized by corruption, lack of merit system and error in decisions.
Given this situation Puerto Rico’s government defaulted on the payment of the public debt; and with this action they violated the PR constitutional debt priority provision. PR constitution states that if in economic difficulty the public debt is the first to be paid before all other payments.
Politics: Promise or Shame?
Due to the chaotic fiscal crisis of Puerto Rico and defaulted payment of public debt; US Congress and President Obama approved and signed on June 30, 2016 the “Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act”, PROMESA. This act is found in Chapter 20 of Title 48 US code (US Code Chapter 48, 2016) The word PROMESA in Spanish means “promise”. In reality for Puerto Ricans is not PROMESA it is “VERGUENZA”, in English, “shame”. Shame that Puerto Rico’s government cannot come up with a viable plan to balance the budget and restructure the debt. (Vocero, 2016)
PROMESA creates an oversight board with specific responsibilities of bringing fiscal responsibility to Puerto Rico. The board is composed of seven members appointed by the President Obama of the United States by recommendation of Congress leadership. (US Code Chapter 48, 2016) This board has broad powers to accomplish its goal and implement the law. Its power is above the governor and local legislature. The governor is the ex-official eighth member of the board with voice, but without the right to vote.
The board will give the government the opportunity to present a budget that matches an appropriate fiscal plan, will evaluate it and approve it or disapprove it and prepare one itself if needed. The law includes a plan for infrastructure revitalization and economic development. (US Code Chapter 48, 2016) It also provides, in section 402, the right of Puerto Rico to determine its future political status. Clearly Puerto Rico will be ruled by the PROMESA appointed board over the next few years despite whichever government is elected in November 2016.
PROMESA creates an oversight board with specific responsibilities of bringing fiscal responsibility to Puerto Rico. The board is composed of seven members appointed by the President Obama of the United States by recommendation of Congress leadership. (US Code Chapter 48, 2016) This board has broad powers to accomplish its goal and implement the law. Its power is above the governor and local legislature. The governor is the ex-official eighth member of the board with voice, but without the right to vote.
The board will give the government the opportunity to present a budget that matches an appropriate fiscal plan, will evaluate it and approve it or disapprove it and prepare one itself if needed. The law includes a plan for infrastructure revitalization and economic development. (US Code Chapter 48, 2016) It also provides, in section 402, the right of Puerto Rico to determine its future political status. Clearly Puerto Rico will be ruled by the PROMESA appointed board over the next few years despite whichever government is elected in November 2016.
Independence Vs. Statehood in a nutshell
Independence, sovereignty, power of decision, and action always sounds good and enticing. It also caters to people’s emotions and passion for their homeland. But in reality, is it really viable?
Is it viable given the current economic crisis, huge public debt, lack of resources and local economic growth, increased loss of workers and current brain drain?
Would there be a role for easy association and/or statehood and at the same time foster the island ‘s social, political, and economic development?
Is it viable given the current economic crisis, huge public debt, lack of resources and local economic growth, increased loss of workers and current brain drain?
Would there be a role for easy association and/or statehood and at the same time foster the island ‘s social, political, and economic development?
The Silver Lining
Undoubtedly, the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico has had its positive effects on the citizens of the Island. Three main aspects include the effects of the US citizenship of Puerto Ricans, the guarantee of a democratic government, and the financial aid.
Puerto Ricans were officially declared US citizens by an act of Congress, the Jones-Shafroth Act, signed by President Wilson on March 2, 1917.(ushistoryscene.com) The citizenship is not guaranteed by the Constitution. Puerto Ricans have therefore been able to travel back and forth to the United States and have benefited form the positive aspects of being a citizen of the greatest country ion the world. The downside: two months after granting citizenship, Wilson signed a compulsory military service act which resulted in 20,000 Puerto Ricans eventually being drafted into World War I.
In a century that saw marked instability in the governments of Latin America, it could be argued that Puerto Rico remained officially a democracy thanks to its relationship with the US. (The Militant, 1998) This democracy, although not perfect, strived to guarantee basic rights to all citizens of the Island in a way that was not guaranteed in Latin American dictatorships.
Lastly, the United States has provided a large amount of financial aid to the Island. It could be argued that this assistance in times of worldwide financial crisis has been key to the sustenance of the Island. On the other hand, the way the US handled Puerto Rico economically is one of the main causes of the financial troubles of the Island.(The Militant, 1998)
Puerto Ricans were officially declared US citizens by an act of Congress, the Jones-Shafroth Act, signed by President Wilson on March 2, 1917.(ushistoryscene.com) The citizenship is not guaranteed by the Constitution. Puerto Ricans have therefore been able to travel back and forth to the United States and have benefited form the positive aspects of being a citizen of the greatest country ion the world. The downside: two months after granting citizenship, Wilson signed a compulsory military service act which resulted in 20,000 Puerto Ricans eventually being drafted into World War I.
In a century that saw marked instability in the governments of Latin America, it could be argued that Puerto Rico remained officially a democracy thanks to its relationship with the US. (The Militant, 1998) This democracy, although not perfect, strived to guarantee basic rights to all citizens of the Island in a way that was not guaranteed in Latin American dictatorships.
Lastly, the United States has provided a large amount of financial aid to the Island. It could be argued that this assistance in times of worldwide financial crisis has been key to the sustenance of the Island. On the other hand, the way the US handled Puerto Rico economically is one of the main causes of the financial troubles of the Island.(The Militant, 1998)
References
1) "Discover the Story of English." Home : Oxford English Dictionary. N.p., n.d. 2016. def of nation. http://www.oed.com/? showLogin=false.
2) McLean, Iain. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics. Oxford: Oxford U, 1996. 2nd edition. Web.
3) Duany, Jorge. The Puerto Rican Nation on the Move: Identities on the Island and in the United States. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina, 2002. Web.
4) Picó, Fernando. History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People. Princeton, NJ: Markus Wiener., 2006. Print.
5) Carrión, Arturo Morales, and María Teresa Babín. Puerto Rico, a Political and Cultural History. New York: W.W. Norton, 1983. Print.
6) @aakiboh. "Puerto Rico's Relationship with the United States? - US History Scene." US History Scene. N.p., n.d. 2016. http://ushistoryscene.com/article/puerto-rico/.
7) "The Militant - 2/9/98 -- Puerto Rico: 100 Years Fighting Against U.S. Imperialism." The Militant - 2/9/98 -- Puerto Rico: 100 Years Fighting Against U.S. Imperialism. N.p., n.d. 2016. http://www.themilitant.com/1998/625/625_19.html.
8) Schwarz, Ángel Collado. Voces De La Cultura: Testimonios Sobre Personajes, Cultura, Instituciones, Y Eventos Históricos En Puerto Rico Y El Caribe. San Juan, Puerto Rico: La Voz Del Centro, 2005. Web.
9) "Constitute." Constitute. N.p., n.d. 2016. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_States_of_America_1992. rev. 1992
10) Scarano, Francisco A. Puerto Rico: Cinco Siglos De Historia. San Juan: McGraw-Hill, 1993. Print.
11) Helps, Arthur, M. Oppenheim, and Arthur Helps. The Spanish Conquest in America: And Its Relation to the History of Slavery and to the Government of Colonies. London: John Lane, 1900. Web.
12) "20 U.S. Code Chapter 48 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., n.d. 2016. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/chapter-48.
13) "INICIO." ElVocero. 2016., n.d. Ley Promesa. 2016. http://elvocero.com.
2) McLean, Iain. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics. Oxford: Oxford U, 1996. 2nd edition. Web.
3) Duany, Jorge. The Puerto Rican Nation on the Move: Identities on the Island and in the United States. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina, 2002. Web.
4) Picó, Fernando. History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People. Princeton, NJ: Markus Wiener., 2006. Print.
5) Carrión, Arturo Morales, and María Teresa Babín. Puerto Rico, a Political and Cultural History. New York: W.W. Norton, 1983. Print.
6) @aakiboh. "Puerto Rico's Relationship with the United States? - US History Scene." US History Scene. N.p., n.d. 2016. http://ushistoryscene.com/article/puerto-rico/.
7) "The Militant - 2/9/98 -- Puerto Rico: 100 Years Fighting Against U.S. Imperialism." The Militant - 2/9/98 -- Puerto Rico: 100 Years Fighting Against U.S. Imperialism. N.p., n.d. 2016. http://www.themilitant.com/1998/625/625_19.html.
8) Schwarz, Ángel Collado. Voces De La Cultura: Testimonios Sobre Personajes, Cultura, Instituciones, Y Eventos Históricos En Puerto Rico Y El Caribe. San Juan, Puerto Rico: La Voz Del Centro, 2005. Web.
9) "Constitute." Constitute. N.p., n.d. 2016. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_States_of_America_1992. rev. 1992
10) Scarano, Francisco A. Puerto Rico: Cinco Siglos De Historia. San Juan: McGraw-Hill, 1993. Print.
11) Helps, Arthur, M. Oppenheim, and Arthur Helps. The Spanish Conquest in America: And Its Relation to the History of Slavery and to the Government of Colonies. London: John Lane, 1900. Web.
12) "20 U.S. Code Chapter 48 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., n.d. 2016. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/chapter-48.
13) "INICIO." ElVocero. 2016., n.d. Ley Promesa. 2016. http://elvocero.com.