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Paramilitarism and the Assault on Democracy in Haiti reviewed on Eurasia Review

Paramilitarism and the Assault on Democracy in Haiti by Jeb Sprague

"It is absolutely imperative for Haiti's history that such a detailed account of the role of paramilitary violence in the country be recorded. The marshalling of facts and events and the meticulous references are phenomenal."

—Mildred Trouillot-Aristide, former First Lady of Haiti

Democratic Struggle In Haiti: Jeb Sprague’s Account – Review

Paramilitarism and the Assault on Democracy in Haiti, Jeb Sprague

By Hyppolite Pierre — (March 26, 2013)

Haiti has almost always been governed by leaders whose personal or sectarian interests supersede those of the majority. From the assassination of the Independence leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines to the subsequent coups d’état (including the most recent, in 2004) those who pay the ultimate price of that violence are the citizens of the majority class.

In his book, Paramilitarism and the Assault on Democracy in Haiti, Jeb Sprague focuses on the last two coups against a democratically elected leader, Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Sprague demonstrates point-by-point how that violence mostly benefits the few who sponsor it. Even when recognizing potential critics’ accusation of bias against this document for ideological bias, the facts recounted by Jeb are irrefutable.

Reading the book, one may feel transported to that era as Jeb meticulously accounts the facts that were the prelude to the eventual removal from power of a popularly elected President. One is almost compelled to ask the obvious question, “Why?”…

Read the entire review on Eurasia Review

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