Alex M.
Balgobin
Topics in
Ethnology
October 4,
2011
Guyana and the Union of South American Nations
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is a small
developing country located on the northern coast of South America. Guyana was
originally founded by Great Britain as British Guiana. The territory had been
traveled on and disputed over by the Spanish, Dutch, and French prior to becoming
an official British colony. Guyana is landlocked on each side except for the
north where the Atlantic Ocean resides. To the south is Brazil—whose official
language is Portuguese, Venezuela to the west—a former Spanish colony, and
Suriname—a Dutch-speaking country—to the east. Not only is Guyana the only
country in South America where English is the official language, but it borders
three countries which each have their own official language.
Within the country itself, Guyana is composed
of a population of about 50% of East Indian descent, 36% of African descent, up
to 7% indigenous, up to 7% mixed, and the rest being from various European
countries plus China (Funk &
Wagnalls). Most of the population lives along the eastern and northern
coasts of Guyana, as the inland is largely occupied by forestry and water. The
religious denominations of Guyana include about 50% Christians, 33% Hindus,
& 9% Muslims (Funk & Wagnalls).
The estimated population of Guyana in 2003 was 765,000, giving the country an
overall population density of about 9 people per square mile—which does not
signify much as a vast amount of Guyana’s land is unused (Funk & Wagnalls). The largest city in
Guyana is the capital of Georgetown, and holds 280,000 citizens (Funk & Wagnalls).
Some of the organizations that Guyana is a
member of are the Commonwealth of Nations, United Nations, Organization of
American States, World Trade Organization, Caribbean Community and Common
Market, and also the Union of South American Nations (Funk & Wagnalls). Being a former British colony, Guyana
shares many cultural similarities and is under spheres of influence of other
nearby former British colony islands residing in the Caribbean—especially from
Trinidad and Tobago (the closest Anglo-Caribbean island to Guyana) and also
Jamaica (which arguably holds the most prominent mainstream Anglo-Caribbean
culture in the West Indies). These similarities can be seen in music, food, and
especially in language—as the same similar Caribbean English Creole dialect can
be found spoken across the West Indian islands, plus Guyana. Guyana also shares
certain cultural aspects with nearby non-English speaking countries, but there
are subtle similarities that could have been detained due to language barriers.
Economy-wise, Guyana is the poorest country in
South America, coming close behind Suriname and Paraguay (Funk & Wagnalls). The main economic
catalysts of Guyana include agriculture (mainly of sugar cane and rice),
mining, and services (Funk
& Wagnalls). Other agricultural products, mostly of tropical fruits, are
mostly not used for exports. Abundant natural resources in Guyana include
bauxite—a primary source of aluminum—trees, fish and shrimp, and also gold and
diamonds (Funk & Wagnalls).
Guyana’s productivity usually falls short of demand, which contributes to the
failing economy; however, the country has great hydroelectric potential due to
the vast amount of rivers (Funk
& Wagnalls). Main imports are petroleum, machinery, food, tobacco, cotton,
clothing, and shoes (Funk &
Wagnalls). Guyana’s main trade partners are the United States, Great Britain,
and Trinidad and Tobago.
According to an article about
Political Risk in Guyana by Business Report, Guyana’s recent GDP Growth rate is
higher than most South American countries, which is not very significant as of
yet since Guyana’s GDP is still one of the lowest in the UNASUR (8). Similar to
many democratic republics, Guyana’s government has held decades of political
unrest between feuding parties, mainly between the governing People’s Progress
Party-Civic (PPP-C) and the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) (Business
Report 11). These disagreements have only withheld the growth of Guyana’s
economy and will continue to do so until all political parties are in equilibrium.
In December, 2004, the Union of South American
Nations (then known as the South American Community of Nations), or USAN (Unión
de Naciones Suramericanas in Spanish, abbreviated as UNASUR), was started among
almost all South American nations, except for French Guiana (who is still a
colony of France) (Unión de Naciones Suramericanas). Due to its members, the
official languages of the union have been established as Spanish, Portuguese,
English, and Dutch. The union was created to be modeled after the European Union and to boost
integration and trade within South America, “…la integración física, energética
y de comunicaciones; la armonización de políticas de desarrollo rural y
agroalimentario; la transferencia de tecnología en materia de ciencia,
educación y cultura…”, not only of economy but integration of science, education,
and culture (Unión de Naciones Suramericanas). In
November, 2010, President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana took office as the new and
current President of UNASUR at the union’s fourth summit meeting in Georgetown,
Guyana (Xinhua). President Jagdeo acknowledges that this union will increase
imports and exports between Guyana and other South American nations; Xinhua’s
article goes on to explain that Jagdeo himself, since his election in 1999, has
worked on developing Guyana by utilizing hydroelectric energy and building
highways and bridges.
President Jagdeo has taken many initiatives in
revitalizing Guyana’s economy, many of which includes strengthening
international ties to various countries including Norway and Denmark, who have
made investments in Guyana’s economy (Business Report 15-16). Interestingly
enough, President Jagdeo is a man of many cultures himself, as he had
previously studied in Moscow, Russia, for his degree in Economics. In light of
Global Warming and climate change, many countries are capitalizing on Guyana’s
rich forestry by paying Guyana to preserve its rainforests (Guyana happens to
be the only country in the world that has not gone through deforestation)
(Business Report 21). Unfortunately, due to Guyana’s high abundance of natural resources,
there are also disputes between neighboring countries on ownerships of certain
mining areas and oil reserves, both of which are very crucial to Guyana’s
economy (Business Report 22).
Reassuring confidence in UNASUR, President
Jagdeo stated that the efforts of South American countries combined have
created more jobs at a higher rate than that of Europe or North America, who
are both suffering from a failing economy (Caribbean News Now). Jagdeo and many
other South American presidents agree that the developing success of UNASUR is
due in part of their unorthodox policies, separate than that of similar unions,
“…we are looking for our own answers, our own solutions to our problems”
(Caribbean News Now).
Addendum
A recent collection of article, entitled
“Mundo Nuevo: Revista de Estudios Latinoamericanos”, written by students of the
University of Simon Bolivar in Veneuzuela, grasps almost exactly what I have
been trying to connect with Guyana and its importance in the development of
UNASUR. The articles included in this collection discuss mostly integration
within Latin America and the Caribbean in general; two articles focus on UNASUR
specifically, entitled “UNASUR y las Transformaciones del Nuevo Regionalismo
Sudamericano” by Jose Briceno-Ruiz, and also “UNASUR: Aspiraciones y
Frustraciones” by Elias R. Daniels H. One of the main concerns within these
articles is the presence of Guyana and Suriname (the only two non-Latin
countries within UNASUR) and how nearby countries are affected by their differing
cultures.
Because this article is written entirely in
Spanish, I will need to be extra careful in the examples I pull from it as I
will be paraphrasing quotes in my own words. The article itself draws from many
organizations outside of UNASUR and points out the positive and negative
aspects, as can be seen in this example, “Apreciamos que UNASUR es un
hibrido…un proceso innovador que incluye todos los logros y lo avanzado por los
procesos de MERCOSUR y la CAN… El problema se presenta cuando se trata de alcanzar
consenso sobre los logros de esas experiencias integracionistas” (Mundo Nuevo
235), where integration problems arise out of cultural differences with Guyana
and Suriname relative to the rest of South America.
Another approach taken to developing South
America’s economy is the “Initiative for the Integration of the Regional
Infrastructure of South America (IIRSA)”, funded by three institutions separate
from UNASUR. This development plan divides South America into ten axes of
integration for which to link their economies through transportation, energy,
and telecommunications projects (Mundo Nuevo 39). The axis that includes
Guyana, el “Eje del Escudo Guayanés”, also includes Venezuela, Brazil, &
Suriname, the only axis to incorporate countries of all four official languages
of UNASUR.
A study done on mangrove vegetation in Guyana
by C. Allan, Ph.D., grasps the socio-economic values behind harvesting and
using the abundance of mangroves in Guyana; this article is titled “The
Socio-Economic Context of the Harvesting and Utilisation of Mangrove
Vegetation”. This study brushes on relations with bordering Brazil and
Venezuela and finishes off concluding with a successful outlook on the future
of mangrove utilization within Guyana.
I believe Guyana has the potential to rebuild
its economy, not only on its own but also with the help of UNASUR. The nations
of UNASUR may not be able to solve all of their problems together because I
believe each country should focus on its own main problems and work with other
countries with similar problems. Even within the richest country of UNASUR,
Brazil, there is a plethora of social inequality and slums that mirror those of
the poorest UNASUR nation of Guyana. The differing cultures can be seen as both
a problem and a solution, depending on how they are applied; but I believe I
can prove my theory that an integration of culture would benefit UNASUR as a
whole with studies of both projects within industrial Guyana and also the
indigenous peoples that reside on its borders.
References
"GUYANA."
(n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. EBSCO. Web. 4
Oct. 2011.
This article states important
economic and demographic facts about Guyana necessary for my background
discussion of Guyana. These factors include and are not limited to: ethnic
groups, religion, population, economic resources and exports, and also a brief
history of Guyana which I will not be using as much as I already know the
general background of Guyana’s founding and history. Other important details I
may be taking from this article are facts about the governmental system.
"Guyana
president confident of economic stability of UNASUR member states." Caribbean
News Now (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) 30 Nov. 2010: Newspaper
Source Plus. EBSCO. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.
I believe this article is important
and relevant to my project as it is a groundbreaking point in both Guyana and
UNASUR’s history as the current president of Guyana was recently appointed
president of UNASUR. This article shortly compares UNASUR’s progress to that of
Europe and North America. Although not detailed, I will be using this article
to reflect the importance of this moment and the optimism that the UNASUR
leaders share in regards to the future of their development.
"Guyana." Political
Risk Yearbook: Guyana Country Report (2011): PRI-1-15. Business
Source Alumni Edition. EBSCO. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.
This article discusses the economic
growth and decline of Guyana, both in the past and for future forecasts. Also
included are details of problems and corruptions within the Guyanese government
and how these problems affect the economy. Recent policies are given to show
how Guyana is taking an initiative towards development. This article will help
me greatly in determining the best possible solutions towards a positive
outlook in Guyana’s economy as this article is very detailed and contains
important economic facts I can use to measure development changes over time.
“Guyana
takes office as Unasur president.” Xinhua,
27 Nov. 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.
This news article briefly discusses
the inauguration of President Jagdeo as the new president of UNASUR and states
a few of the development projects he has made in Guyana since his presidency in
1999. I believe the policies that President Jagdeo makes in Guyana is important
to those he will bring up within UNASUR and I plan on using this article to
contrast his presidency on both a national and international scale.
“Incumbent
UNASUR Chairman optimistic of a better South America.” Government Info Agency, 26 Nov. 2010. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.
This article mentions, in general
detail, paraphrased quotes from President Jagdeo about his plans on how UNASUR
will be run. Future prospects are mentioned in regards to the world’s
population and development on a global scale. The importance of this article is
not only about economic change for UNASUR but also the well-being of its
citizens. I will be using this article for its mentions of Jagdeo’s plans of
bettering the way of life for his citizens through energy projects and the long
term changes he can bring to global development as well.
Sitio Oficial de la Unión
de Naciones Suramericanas. Unión de Naciones Suramericanas. Web. 4 Oct. 2011.
The official site of UNASUR contains media
statements about recent policies made by UNASUR and contains published articles
about important changes within the union. Publications include future goals of
UNASUR in regards to several aspects not limited to education, society, energy,
and armed forces. This website will prove useful to me as I will be pulling many
policy changes from here to show UNASUR’s initiatives towards progress.
Banuet, Jose; Serna,
Hernando; et al. “Mundo Nuevo: Revista de Estudios Latinoamericanos.” Universidad Simón Bolívar. (2010).
This very detailed article discusses
UNASUR’s socio-economic effects on many of its individual nations as well as
cultural barriers within UNASUR and how those will prove to be both binding and
useful towards UNASUR’s international relations. Guyana is mentioned in many
sub-articles as a notable country within UNASUR as it is the only
English-speaking nation in the continent. This article will probably be my most
used source because of its elaborate detail and the way it uses culture in
regards to UNASUR’s development.
Allan, C. “The
Socio-Economic Context of the Harvesting and Utilisation of Mangrove Vegetation.”
(2002). Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
This ethnographic study of Guyana
draws upon the lack of legislation Guyana has upon utilizing the abundance of
mangroves in Guyana and why they should be preserved. This article is important
because it mentions the Amerindians that reside near these mangrove forests and
how they are affected by legislation of these forests. The relation between
these Amerindians and traders plays a huge role in Guyana’s economy and how
resources will be used in future development.
Mantini, L.
"Human Trafficking Of Amerindian Women In Guyana: Challenges And
Strategies." International Nursing Review 55.3 (2008):
341-348. CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Web. 15 Nov. 2011.
This ethnographic study captures
development in Guyana on a micro scale. Discussed within this article are
policies that were passed to provide health care, education, and other human
rights to the indigenous groups within Guyana. This article is mainly about empowering
indigenous peoples and their communities so that they can fight against human
trafficking among their women. This will be a vital example of how development
is occurring in Guyana at a human level rather than at a national scale.
Cordero,
Omar. Unasur and Its Future Impact on the Americas. Carlisle
Barracks, PA: U.S. Army War College, 2009. Print.
This article addresses the
political, social, and economic issues regarding UNASUR. Unresolved issues are
a main concern within this discussion, at regional and international scales.
This article will prove useful in helping me connect the cultural impacts of
UNASUR on individual nations as well as the relations that will rise among
them.
References
Allan, C. “The Socio-Economic
Context of the Harvesting and Utilisation of Mangrove Vegetation.” (2002). Web.
Banuet,
Jose; Serna, Hernando; et al.
“Revista de Estudios Latinoamericanos.” Mundo
Nuevo. (2010). Web.
Cordero, Omar. “Unasur and Its Future Impact on the
Americas.” (2009). Web.
"Country Forecast." Political
Risk Yearbook: Guyana Country Report (2011): 2-40. Business
Source Alumni Edition. Web.
Funk & Wagnalls. "Guyana."
(n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia. Web.
GINA. “Incumbent UNASUR Chairman
optimistic of a better South America.” Government
Info Agency 26 Nov. 2010. Web.
"Guyana president confident of
economic stability of UNASUR member states." Caribbean News Now
(Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) 30 Nov. 2010: Points of View
Reference Center. Web.
Mantini, L. "Human Trafficking
Of Amerindian Women In Guyana: Challenges And Strategies." International Nursing Review 55.3 (2008): 341-348. CINAHL
Plus with Full Text. Web.
Sitio Oficial de la Unión de Naciones
Suramericanas. Unión de
Naciones Suramericanas. Web.
Xinhua. “Guyana takes office as
Unasur president.” Xinhuanet 27 Nov.
2010. Web.