Governing Justly and Democratically

USAID Primary Goal

Help the people of the Dominican Republic build and sustain a democratic, well-governed state that responds to the needs of Dominicans, reduces widespread poverty and conducts  itself responsibly in the international system.

• Total Planned Contribution: $26 million

BACKGROUND

The Dominican Republic has made great strides forward in advancing democratic reforms since the 1994 crisis that led to important political reforms. The DR has experienced significant reforms in the electoral system, the justice sector, openness to civil society, and transparency.  Notwithstanding the progress made, significant challenges confront the development of a stable, durable democracy in the DR.  The lack of institutionalization and good governance is the principle problem that the Dominican Republic confronts with regard to consolidating democracy and ensuring adequate representative, decision-making based on the interest and needs of Dominican society.

Historically, Dominican socio-economic affairs have been based on patronage, whereby relationships to those in power have been very personal, depending on what goods and services (including jobs) they receive directly from the local politician or businessman. Patronage undermines the institutions of democracy, because people vote on the basis not of the policies of candidates but what they feel the candidate can do for them personally. Clientelism based as it is on affective relationships, is the direct antithesis of the institutionalization that provides the foundation for democracy, the rule of law, and good governance.

The violation of human rights continues to be a serious issue in the Dominican Republic, particularly in regard to those of Haitian descent and undocumented Dominicans whose nationality might be questioned. In addition, the DR is a source, transit point, and destination of persons, for which reason the DR was placed on the 2007 Tier 2 watch list.

WHAT IS USAID DOING IN THIS AREA?

Providing assistance to the DR to improve good governance will help open avenues for the GODR to address other democratic development issues such as the administration and access to justice, free and fair elections, and citizen participation, as well as economic development, education, health, and the protection of the environment.

USAID’s objective is to promote transparent government administration; strengthen justice institutions to enhance their efficiency, independence, and objectivity under the law; exploit opportunities for policy reform and enforcement afforded by DR-CAFTA; broaden and deepen civil society participation in politics; and advance political finance reform.

Justice sector reform is a priority for USAID, with the dual end of promoting internal controls of corruption and enforcement of institutional ethics as well as improving processes and standards of case handling to ensure effective prosecution of crime, including corruption. Similarly, USAID continues to promote the establishment and effective use of transparency and accountability mechanisms within government institutions and citizen oversight of government compliance with the establishment and maintenance of these mechanisms.

USAID assistance helps the GODR implement the laws that have been passed, encourages the passage and implementation of additional key laws, and helps strengthen institutions that support the implementation of these laws and boosts effective and efficient provision of government services. The selected institutions of government includes (but not necessary limited to) the Judiciary, Public Ministry, Office of Public Defense, the National Ethics Commission, and the Technical Secretariat of the Presidency.

USAID provides assistance to help the justice system institutions, particularly the Public Ministry and the National Police, be more effective and efficient and enhance their inter-institutional coordination to achieve common policy goals.  USAID also helps strengthen institutional mechanisms that encourage ethical behavior and prevent corruption and abuse.

USAID’s objective in working with civil society is two-fold: on the one hand, USAID encourages the formation of coalitions, consortia, and networks in order to achieve more effectively to their sought-after goals; on the other, USAID promotes participation, advocacy, and oversight by civil society organizations. Civil society organizations need to provide an independent, non-governmental check by monitoring the government’s progress in implementing reforms and calling them to task when they fail to be accountable. A complementary goal is encourage the establishment and use of means for citizens to access appropriate information. USAID works with a selected group of institutions of government that complement other USG objectives and activities.  USAID supports civil society organizations to make legitimate demands for reforms and oversight efforts.

WHAT DOES USAID EXPECT TO ACHIEVE?

USAID expects that institutional processes will be measurably more robust and citizens will have a greater appreciation for and access to a more efficient and effective judicial system. Civil society will more actively demand a reduction of corruption and enforcement of institutionalized rules and procedures. Where concerted action is required, civil society will have a ready infrastructure of networks and alliances that they can depend on to advocate for policy reform and adherence to the law. Citizens will have a more in-depth appreciation of corruption and will be able to avail themselves of means to identify it and to ensure that corrupt actions will not go unpunished.