Damming the Flood

Damming the Flood examines Haiti's political trajectory from 1990-2006, with a focus on the rise and fall of the Lavalas movement under Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The book provides historical context for Haiti's democratic struggles through extensive research and interviews with key political figures. Peter Hallward documents the complex international forces and domestic pressures that shaped this period in Haitian politics. The narrative traces how various stakeholders - from grassroots organizations to foreign governments - influenced the nation's path during these pivotal years. The investigation covers multiple coups, periods of military rule, and the dynamics between Haiti's poor majority and its wealthy elite. Government policies, popular movements, and international interventions are analyzed through both official records and firsthand accounts. The book stands as a critical examination of democracy, sovereignty, and foreign intervention in the developing world. Its investigation of Haiti's political upheavals raises broader questions about power, class struggle, and the barriers to social change in post-colonial nations.

Readers note the book provides extensive detail on Haiti's political history from 1990-2006, with particular focus on the 2004 coup against Aristide. Many readers value its comprehensive documentation and footnotes, describing it as well-researched with clear source citations. Positive reviews highlight: - Thorough analysis of foreign intervention in Haiti - Counter-narrative to mainstream media coverage - Clear chronological breakdown of events Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Pro-Aristide bias in analysis - Too much focus on political theory versus human impact Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 ratings) One reader on Goodreads notes: "Excellent research but requires prior knowledge of Haitian politics." An Amazon reviewer states: "The book challenges conventional narratives but sometimes reads like a political science textbook." Several academic reviews praise its documentation while questioning its interpretative framework.

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🌊 The title "Damming the Flood" is a play on words referencing both Haiti's history of devastating floods and the political efforts to stem the tide of popular democracy in the country. 🗣️ Author Peter Hallward conducted over 100 interviews in Haiti, France, and North America while researching this book, including conversations with Jean-Bertrand Aristide himself. 🏛️ The book provides one of the most detailed accounts of the 2004 coup d'état that overthrew Haiti's democratically elected president Aristide, challenging many mainstream media narratives of the events. 📚 Hallward, a philosophy professor at Kingston University London, broke away from his usual focus on contemporary continental philosophy to write this deeply researched political history. 🔍 The research reveals extensive documentation about the role of international NGOs and aid organizations in inadvertently undermining Haiti's democratic institutions by creating parallel power structures that bypassed the elected government.