Belize's Government: Limited Or Unlimited?

Belize is a constitutional parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with a democratically elected prime minister as head of government. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, and its government structure is based on the British parliamentary system. Belize's constitution, formed in the same year, is the supreme law of the country. The Belizean government is considered stable, with universal suffrage for citizens aged 18 and above. However, the country has faced challenges such as corruption scandals and human rights issues.

Belize's constitution and government structure

Belize's constitution is the supreme law of the nation. It was signed in September 1981, the same year the country gained sovereignty from the United Kingdom. The constitution is divided into a preamble, 13 parts, and four schedules. The constitution outlines the rights and freedoms of the people of Belize, including the right to life, liberty, law, freedom from inhumane treatment, slavery, and forced labour, freedom of movement, conscience, expression, assembly, and association, privacy, work, and freedom from racial discrimination. It also covers the establishment of the governor-general, the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, and the public service.

Belize is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model and the British parliamentary system. It is a Commonwealth Realm, with King Charles III as its head of state. The king is represented in Belize by the governor-general, who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet. The governor-general is responsible for interpreting and upholding the constitution and determining all cases as the supreme court. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives and appoints the cabinet. The cabinet is the primary executive organ of the government and is made up of members of the majority political party in Parliament. Cabinet members can also be drawn from the Senate.

The National Assembly of Belize is a bicameral body, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The 31 members of the House of Representatives are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term. The Senate consists of 12 senators plus the President of the Senate. The senators are appointed by the governor-general, with six appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and the remaining three on the advice of various organisations and committees. The President of the Senate is selected by the senators and presides over the sessions.

Belize also has a system of local government, consisting of city councils, town councils, village councils, and community councils. City and town councils consist of a mayor and several councillors, who are directly elected to three-year terms. Village councils consist of a chairperson and six councillors, who are directly elected by registered villagers. Local authorities are responsible for street maintenance, lighting, drains, refuse collection, public cemeteries, infrastructure, parks, playgrounds, public libraries, and public buildings.

Belize's legal system

The Belize Police Department is primarily responsible for internal security, including police and prisons. The Ministry of National Defence and Border Security provides limited support to civilian authorities and has limited powers of arrest within land and shoreline areas. The Belize Defence Force has limited powers of arrest within land and shoreline areas, while the Coast Guard has arrest powers and jurisdiction within coastal and maritime areas.

Belize's constitution provides for an independent judiciary and the government generally respects judicial independence and impartiality. The constitution also includes constitutional safeguards for freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association.

Belize's political parties

Belize has a two-party system, with the centre-right United Democratic Party (UDP) and the centre-left People's United Party (PUP) dominating the political landscape. The UDP is the main opposition party, having lost the 2020 Belizean general election. It is led by Moses Barrow and is a pro-business, conservative party. The PUP, on the other hand, is the current majority party and is led by Prime Minister Johnny Briceño. It is a pro-labour party that fosters the idea of political independence.

The UDP was formed in 1973 when the National Independence Party and the People's Development Movement joined with the new Liberal Party to challenge the ruling PUP. The UDP first fielded candidates in the 1974 general election, winning six seats. It went on to rule from 1984 to 1989 and then from 1993 to 1998, and again from 2008 to 2020.

The PUP has been a dominant force in Belizean politics since the country gained independence in 1981. It was the ruling party when Belize became independent and held power from 1981 to 1984, then again from 1989 to 1993, and from 1998 to 2008. The PUP has historically been the more successful of the two parties in legislative elections, having never lost a legislative election until 1973.

While these two parties dominate Belizean politics, there are several smaller parties that have participated in governmental elections, including the Belize Progressive Party (BPP), Vision Inspired by the People (VIP), and the National Alliance for Belizean Rights (NABR). However, these smaller parties have not won any significant number of seats or offices.

Belize's foreign policy

Belize has historically had close ties with the English-speaking Caribbean states and has sought to strengthen its potential for economic and political development by building closer relations with the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America. Belize is a member of the Central American Integration System and the Caribbean Community, with which it has strong historical and cultural ties. Belize also maintains cordial relations with the United States, its principal trading partner and a significant source of investment funds. The United States provides economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid programs in 2006.

Belize has a left-leaning foreign policy, allying with nations like Cuba and Venezuela and recognising states such as Palestine, Taiwan, and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic. Belize's foreign policy is based on the principles of non-interference, anti-imperialism, and self-determination. The country has taken a stance against imperialist powers by recognising Taiwan as the sole legitimate government of China and opposing the Hong Kong national security law.

Belize is also a member of the International Criminal Court and has a Bilateral Immunity Agreement with the United States for the protection of American military personnel. It participates in international efforts to address issues such as migration, human rights, and climate change. Belize co-hosted the Anniversary Ministerial of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection in June 2023, reaffirming its commitment to promoting human rights and providing stability and assistance to affected communities.

Belize's economy

Belize has a developing free-market economy that is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and services. The country's economy is export-oriented and benefits from its proximity to large markets in the US and Mexico.

Agriculture

Belize has about 8,090 square kilometres of arable land, but only a small fraction is under cultivation. Agriculture employs about one-fifth of the population, with most farms being smaller than 100 acres. Traditional shifting cultivation is common due to the nutrient-poor soils of the lowlands. Sugarcane, citrus fruits, and bananas are grown for export, while corn, roots, tubers, beans, and vegetables are raised throughout the country. Belize also has a significant aquaculture industry, particularly shrimp farming.

Tourism

Tourism is the most important source of foreign exchange for Belize, with the industry rapidly expanding in the 1990s. The country's natural attractions, such as the Belize Barrier Reef, its extensive mangroves, and numerous Mayan ruins, make it a popular destination for ecotourism and cultural tourism.

Services

The service sector has been the largest contributor to Belize's gross national product since the early 1980s. Services account for nearly half of the labour force and GNP.

Trade and Finance

Belize has a substantial trade deficit in goods, with its main exports being seafood, sugar, citrus products, bananas, and clothing. Machinery, transport equipment, food, fuels, lubricants, and chemicals are among its chief imports. The Belize dollar is fixed to the US dollar at a rate of 2:1.

The Central Bank of Belize oversees the country's banks and issues its currency. As a member of CARICOM, Belize benefits from access to members' markets and trade agreements.

Economic Challenges and Prospects

Belize faces economic challenges such as a growing trade deficit, low export prices for sugar and bananas, and a lack of infrastructure investments. However, the country experienced a sound economic rebound, with real GDP per capita surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2022. The economy is expected to grow at a rate of 2-3% in the medium term, and policy priorities include fiscal restraint, structural reforms, addressing climate change, and protecting vulnerable groups.

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