Globalization and Identity in the Dominican Republic - Research Paper Example

Module Module ID: Migration, Globalization and Identity in the Dominican Republic The present paper aims to explore the demographic features of the Dominican Republic by concentration upon the migration trends, impact of globalization and socio-cultural and religious identity of the population. One of the most striking reasons behind carrying out the research on this topic includes the fast trends of immigration embracing the entire world into their fold predominantly for the last four decades. The paper is also interested in unfolding the motives behind the unabated increase in the migration of the Dominican people to other parts of the globe. Since the developed nations of the world offer superior education, health, employment and individual as well as collective growth and development of the people, the populations belonging to the under-developed and developing countries tend to move to the developed states for brighter job and business prospects on the one side, and to lead a better, comfortable and luxurious life on the other. Brief Introduction to the Dominican Republic: Situated in the Island of Hispaniola, in the southern part of Atlantic Ocean, the Dominican Republic serves as the second largest Caribbean nation existing on the face of the earth (Seelke 1). Being the poor economy, but rich with the natural resources, the country had been the target of the adventures of the European powers since the seventeenth century onward. Since the Spanish royalty had taken keen interest in keeping the country under the Spanish control, the Caribbean island had been one of the Spanish dominions for decades. By the end of eighteenth century, the country came under the sway of French authorities, though the French had to experience the revolt of the indigenous population against them. It eventually encouraged the neighboring Haitians to occupy the island for establishing their rule over it (Lancer 2002). Migration Trends among the Dominican People: Migration is a social phenomenon, which is equally popular among the individuals belonging to all geographical zones, different ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds, various age-groups and both the genders (Weeks 263). Identical with the rest of the world, the people belonging to the Dominican Republic also observe migration from their native country to some other regions of the globe. It is partly because of the very fact that the country had been the victim of poverty, massive corruption at national scale, bad governance, nepotism, political unrest, sociocultural chaos and economic uncertainty that force the masses to explore new dimensions for making progress in life (Morgan, Espinal, & Seligson 10-1). In addition, the country also lacks proper infrastructure essential for the collective growth of the people; besides, being one of the developing regions of the world, the Dominican Republic also undergoes insufficient job and career opportunities (Morgan et al 8). As a result, the people, particularly the youth, do not have any choice rather than moving from the country to discover some other areas that could assure a bright future for hem according to their educational qualification, professional proficiencies and technical skills, and aptitude as well (Ferguson 6). The Dominicans generally migrate to the neighboring Latin American states of Haiti and Puerto Rico both illegally and through invitation as well (Ferguson 4). Similarly, the people from both these countries also migrate to Dominican Republic in search of work and employment. However, the Haitian migrants and refugees have to undergo very untoward state of affairs in Dominican Republic, partly because of their illegal status on the one side, and partly for their getting involved into labor work, which forces them to lead a miserable life in Dominican Republic (Al-Obaidi, Maqur & Al-Badawi 1-2). Since the state is unable to provide employment to the native people even, the allocation of the neighboring Haitians and Puerto Ricans against various posts and positions could only be a dream. Somehow, hundreds of the Haitian and Puerto Rican workers and laborers do not hesitate in migrating to the country every year because of the higher GDP and comparatively superior economic condition of Dominican Republic. Haiti had a very low gross domestic product (GDP) of US $ 6.494 billion in 2010, with deteriorating GDP growth rate by -8.5% while the Dominican Republic has an increasing GDP of US $ 50.874billions and a GDP growth rate of 5.5% during 2010 (Al-Obaidi et al 2). Moreover, being the members of similar ethno-racial groups, making distinction between the native Dominicans on the one side, and the Puerto Ricans and Haitians on the other, becomes very hard. As a result, these foreigner immigrants gradually experience the process of such an acculturation during their stay in the country that they become the part of Dominican population eventually. Furthermore, since the proportion of educated individuals having professional qualification seeks an upward trend on constant basis for the last many years, a large number of the young people experiences joblessness, which is sure to create unrest and turmoil in the country in its wake. It is therefore, the young people have been recorded to have the highest tendency of getting settled in Haiti, Puerto Rico and USA; though a small proportion of them also attempts to move to central and western parts of Europe on temporary or permanent basis (Ferguson 9). Hence, the fast growing trends of the young, energetic and qualified individuals’ leaving the country has resulted into Dominican Republic’s undergoing the situation of brain-drain, which could damage the pace of progress and prosperity in the country. Political instability is also considered to be one of the major reasons behind the fast exodus of the people from their native country (Seelke 2-3). In this age of technological revolution, the individuals are well aware of the reality that no state could witness development without observing political stability, social justice and fair play; all of them serve to be the essential principles of alleviating the woes of the masses, and encouraging them to render their services for the uplift of the country. Hence, dedicated and committed political leadership is essential for enhancement of patriotism among the masses, as well as earning a respectable place for it in the international arena subsequently. The same is applied to the country, which observed economic stability under Leonel Férnandez from 2004 onward (Seelke 4). There was a time when Dominican Republic did not have pleasant and cordial diplomatic relationships with the USA, because of the political turmoil on the one side, and the unnecessary US interventions in internal affairs of the country on the other. Somehow, with the passage of time, the relationships have observed the positive trends. However, now, the USA serves as one of the major trade and commerce partner of Dominican republic carrying two-way trade totaling more than $11.5 billion in 2011 (Seelke 7). Consequently the Dominicans’ seeking US immigration has become legal, faster and easier one from early 1990s onward. As a result, it has been estimated that are over 1.4 million Dominican Americans residing in the USA, which belong to both white and black racial groups (US Census Bureau 2011). Globalization and the Dominican Republic: Globalization is rightly viewed to be one of the most dominant and influential features of the last quarter of twentieth century (Macionis 297). It not only accelerated the pace of the communication and travelling in a tremendous manner, but also wide opened the new horizons of progress and prosperity to the individuals belonging to all areas, regions and zones of the globe without discrimination. As a result, the individual and collective life of the people has witnessed a marvelous boost in all fields and professions at large. Globalization has not only helped the peoples and companies to enter into corporate and commercial relationships with one another, but also have supported them to exchange views and share ideas in all the cultural, social, financial, political and even religious affairs, with the aim of exploring the solutions to the problems challenging the peace and prosperity of the world. Consequently, with the help of mobile phones and the internet, the like-minded people have obtained the opportunities of contacting one another, and increase the level and magnitude of co-operation with one another. The same is equally the case with the people of Dominican Republic (Chierici 44). The establishment of the international brands, food chains, recreational platforms and commercial organizations in the country has got the masses oriented with the colossal developments being observed by the developed nations in the contemporary era. The Dominican subjects have successfully established their associations with the business class, cultural organizations and human rights associations, all of which appear to be determined to widen the scope of their respective activities in one way or the other. The impact of globalization could be found in the everyday life of the masses in Dominican Republic, where the use of western-introduced technological equipment, fashions, fast food and office structure reflects the peoples’ adopting the western ways in the aftermath of the advent of IT revolution and globalization. Moreover, there could be seen the business ventures launched by the multinational corporate organizations with the aim of facilitating the indigenous population with the latest and innovative products and services being enjoyed by the individuals from the developed nations in modern times. Works Cited Al-Obaidi, Abdul Kareem., Maqur, Ghazwan., & Al-Badawi, Ghazwan. “The plight of Haitian refugees in the Dominican Republic: Physical/psychosocial consequences.” Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology Vol. 4(1), January 2012 1-4. Chierici, Rose-Marie. “Caribbean Migration in the Age of Globalization: Transnationalism, Race, and Ethnic Identity.” Reviews in Anthropology, Vol. 33, 2004 43–59. Ferguson, James. “Migration in the Caribbean: Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Beyond.” Minority Rights Group International, London- UK. 2004 4-42. Lancer, Jalisco. “The Conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. All Empires.” 2002 Web. http://www.allempires.com/article/index.php?q=conflict_haiti_dominican Morgan, Jana., Espinal, Rosario., & Seligson, Mitchell A. “Political Culture of Democracy in the Dominican Republic, 2010: Democratic Consolidation in the Americas during Hard Times.” Vanderbilt University, September 2010 6-337. Seelke, Clare Ribando. “Dominican Republic: Background and U.S. Relations.” Congressional Research Service, November 06, 2012 2-18. Weeks, John R. Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues. New York: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print. Read More