Estado y desarrollo humano: El Informe Nacional de Desarrollo Humano 2009/10

HUMN*3300 Blog 2

Considering our discussion about the probability of a lack of consensus between what reporters and citizens found interesting or important, I decided to check out the Opinion/Editorial sections of Prensa Libre and El Periodico. As an ID student, the first title to catch my eye was "Estado y desarrollo humano" in Prensa Libre, which considers the UNDP's report on Guatemala's human development over the past quarter of the century. Another, on the same subject, titled "¿Quiénes son los responsables?" views the state as responsible for the well-being of Guatemala's people, but not living up to expectations. Interested, I continued searching and found that indeed most of the articles I found on the subject were editorials. One that was not, however, found in the Economía section of El Periodico, determined that tax reform is an urgent necessity if the state is to be able to better the situation of its peoples.

El Informe Nacional de Desarrollo Humano 2009/10 analiza el papel que ha jugado ed estado guatemalteco en la promoción del desarrollo humano durante los últimos 25 años. El artículo primer del INDH es que el Estado debe estar organizado para proteger al individuo, la familia y el bien común. El segundo artículo describe el deber del Estado garantizar la vida, la libertad, la justicia, la seguridad, la paz y el desarrollo integral de las personas. "Dada la Debilidad histórica del Estado y su insuficiencia para promover el desarrollo humano, se propone un Estado democrático, fuerte y plural."

The first part covers modern state formation. The second section discusses structure, bureaucracy and taxation. The third section overviews the government's role in security, justice, health, education, and promotion of democracy and equity; and finally, Part 4 presents a proposal for state transformation (in terms of human dvmt), considers the future of the country with the present and history in mind

The most important characteristics of a strong state are listed:
- effectiveness and efficiency:
- appropriate institutions managed by a joint technical/political, meritocratic, efficient in implementing effective public policies and making decisions on their own internal operation
- Legitimacy:
- the cohort government is a legitimate authority, an expression of the will of majority of citizens, the result of democratic elections. With monetary resources, fiscal capacity to acquire financial resources to meet basic state functions.
- Independence:
- Directed by officials and technicians, to gain power, working with a top view of the political and personal interests and make decisions for the common good.
- transparency:
- subject to regular internal and external oversight of resource management, meeting deadlines and other commitments.
- To ensure the rule of law:
- United Nations Framework which generally complies with the Act respecting the separation of powers and guarantees full respect for human rights of all people.

Little progress has been made in Guatemala in the areas of health, education, and internal security which, as recognized in the report, is because of the lack of tax collection. There is also a lack of real opportunity for poor and struggling Guatemalans, in turn hampering long term development. The report also delves into the growing issue of violence about womyn, which we learned about from Ashley's presentation. The report data are a tool of information to be used to summon the main political actors to address at least one of the weaknesses that affect the most vulnerable segments of the population.