Government

Goverment Structure & Issues:

Belize has a seventeen year history of self government, from 1964 to 1981. During this time the British had control only over foreign affairs, internal security and defense.

Belize was granted independence in 1981. During the first three years of independence, the country was lead by the People's United Party, with George Price being the first Prime Minister. Following the first general election in 1984, the People's United Party were replaced by Manuel Esquivel and the United Democratic Party. The People's United Party (PUP) then took seats again in 1989, only to be defeated by the United Democratic Party (UDP) on June 30, 1993, after the they had called elections eighteen months early. August 27th 1998 saw the installment of Belize's third Prime Minister when the PUP, under the new leadership of Said Musa, were returned to power by the Belizean people.

The election on Feb 7, 2008 brought a major change and put the UDP in power across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

Structure of the Government:

Belize's form of government is modeled like that of the Westminister system. The governor general, prime minister and cabinet are the executive branch of the government. The legislative branch comprises of a twenty-eight member elected House of Representative and an eight-member appointed Senate. 6 members of the Senate are appointed by the ruling Party, 3 by the Opposition and 3 by the Governor General. The President of the Senate is nominated by the ruling party but must be elected by the other members. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor General and is the leader of the ruling party and the Cabinet. The judicial system consists of a supreme court and magistrate court; each district has a magistrate court, with the exception of Belize City which has four. Each of the nine towns, including San Pedro and Benque Viejo, has a locally elected seven member town board, except Belize City which has a nine member city council.

The Two-Party System:

Belize, since 1961, has a two party political system, which is not constitutionally mandated. Actually any number of Belizean adults can run as candidates for the 28 electoral divisions. Belize has no laws controlling the formation or activities of political parties. A person can say a political party exists and if the candidates of that party are successful, they therefore gain seats in government.

Political parties avoid class conflicts by representing all classes. But usually when parties are not in power they identify with the poorer class of society. On the most part, political parties do not strive on dues from members but from large donations given by business and most of which are not to the public's knowledge.

Foreign Policy:

During the period of self government (1964 - 1981), Britain kept control over the management of Belize's foreign affairs, allowing the People's United Party to participate in the foreign policies initiatives.

Belize has been very discreet and inflexible about the position of its foreign policy. Belize had to keep very close ties with Britain-troops as well as the United States- trade and aid. Due to the use of foreign policy as a tool for supporting trade and investment, the direction of foreign policy making in Belize was not different from most of the other nations in the 1990's.

Belize's foreign policy has been greatly determined by its political, military and economic links with Britain and the United States, as well as its geographical ties with Central America and the Caribbean.

Belize in the Region:

Belize, with its rights for self determination, joined Caricom, although becoming a member brought only limited economic benefits. For Belize it helped to further its drive for independence.

One reason why Belize had played no direct part in the Central American peace process was because of its traditional isolation from Central American politics. Since the late 1980's, however Belize has been recognized as a genuine Central American nation by its isthmus neighbors.

Belize and Mexico have been enjoying a good relationship. In Belize, unlike other Central American countries, there is a positive recognition of Mexico and Mexican society. Belize has also established closer relations with Venezuela, who has tried to obtain support from Belize for its full membership in Caricom.