Projects

One of BELPRI’s first publications, The Belizean Economy in the 21st Century: When and Why Belize Fell Behind and What to do About It by Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas, sets a strong precedent for our research. In this seminal piece, Professor Bulmer-Thomas, Honorary Professor at University College London, highlights that while the Belizean economy has shown an impressive recovery since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, its economic performance over the past two decades, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head at constant prices, has notably stagnated compared to most other Caribbean and Central American nations.

He meticulously identifies key factors responsible for this situation and recommends the implementation of an Input-Output table as a crucial policy tool to help identify and prioritize economic outcomes. (An Input-Output table is a matrix that records sales by sectors in the rows and purchases in the columns). This initiative is one that BELPRI-UB will actively champion.

This foundational research underscores BELPRI-UB's mission to facilitate evidence-based discussions on national issues. It offers a vital opportunity for policymakers, economists, academics, students, and the general public to engage with a comprehensive analysis of Belize’s economic future and to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on national development.

The Paper and summaries - Brok it Down and In Brief can be found under Publications.

This foundational paper, "To Tinker or To Transform: State Policies in the Independent Belize" by Assad Shoman, delivered at the BELPRI launch on 24 March 2025, critically examines Belize's post-independence journey towards decolonization. He argues that Belize, despite achieving independence, remains deeply affected by its colonial past and has not fully decolonized. He asserts that while the demand for independence began in 1950, the British skillfully manipulated local politics, delaying true liberation. Shoman contends that Belizean leaders continued using "the master's tools" (colonial systems) due to external pressures and economic challenges, hindering genuine change. He advocates for a "peaceful and constructive REVOLUTION" to dismantle colonial structures, emphasizing critical areas like equitable land distribution and a reformed education system that fosters critical thinking and authentic Belizean history. Shoman positions BELPRI as crucial for providing evidence-based analysis to guide Belize towards true self-determination and sustainable development, stressing the institute's need for independence.

The paper can be found on the website under Publications.

The research for the "Campaign Finance Regulation" is driven by the widely acknowledged issue of exponentially increasing money in Belizean politics since independence in 1981, which has led to concerning consequences for democracy and sustainable development. This unregulated funding has been linked to public corruption, including vote-buying, bribery, misuse of public funds, preferential treatment for large donors, and impunity for wrongdoers.

Despite repeated calls from civil society groups, media, and governance reform commissions since the mid-1990s for campaign finance regulation, and promises from both major political parties, Belize had its tenth general election without any such regulation. The failure to enact policy, coupled with sporadic and often insufficiently researched proposals from civil society organizations, indicates a need for new approaches.

BELPRI, as an independent policy institute, is uniquely positioned to conduct rigorous research and propose a fit-for-purpose campaign finance regulation policy tailored to Belize's context and needs. The research aims to illustrate the link between money in politics and corruption, document past efforts and failures, develop realistic policy recommendations, and engage stakeholders to facilitate the enactment of legislation. This initiative seeks to contribute to mitigating corruption and advancing sustainable human development in Belize.