History of Politics in Belize 1871- British Honduras (Br. Hon.) surrendered its legacy of self-government 1950-PUP led by George Price spearheaded the campaign for Br. Hon. To regain an elected legislature 1871- Br. Hon. Abolished its elected legislature in order to obtain greater economic and political security as a crown colony 1962-Belize renamed Br. Hon. 1973- Belize renamed Belize 1964- Br. Hon. became a self-governing territory 1973- OG name Belize restored 1981- Belize attained complete independence 1991- Guatemalan Claim over Belize still unresolved 1993-Governor General (GG) Sir Colville Young Jr. represents the queen

Belize Since Independence Belize is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth 11 as Sovereign. Belize has a democratic bi-cameral legislature based on the Westminster system. Executive Power belongs to the Minister of Cabinet (approved by Governor General), under the leadership of the elected prime minister. The Prime minister chooses the ministers from the members of the House of Representative and the Senate.

Legislative Power Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize. Legislative Power belongs to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The 12-member Senate is appointed by the GG for five years.

The National Assembly The National Assembly of Belize is a bi-cameral body which consists of a House of Representatives and a Senate.

The Senate The Senate comprises of: 6 members on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the opposition’s leader, 1 on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches, 1 on the advice of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and industry, 1 on the advice of the National Trade Union Congress.

House of Representatives The 31-member house consist of members who are elected by direct popular vote for 5 years. It consist of members of the two major political parties (UDP-United Democratic Party) and (PUP-People’s United Party)

Cabinet The primary executive organ of government is the cabinet led by a prime minister. Cabinet Ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats in the National Assembly concurrently with their Cabinet positions. Cabinet members can also be drawn from the senate.

The Legal System of Belize The legal system of Belize is based on common law. The chief justice of the Supreme Court is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister.

Politics of Belize Politics of Belize takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby Elizabeth 11 serves as head of state and prime minister is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government.

The Party System The party system is dominated by the center-left People’s United Party (blue)and the center-right United Democratic Party (red). Other small parties have participated at all levels of governmental elections in the past.

Constitution According to its constitution, Belize is a constitutional monarchy, whose titular sovereign, the British monarch, is represented in Belize by a governor general. The constitution of Belize establishes an independent judiciary and guarantees fundamental human, civil, and political rights.

Constitutional Safeguards Freedom of: speech Press Worship Movement Association

Judiciary The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law. A special Family Court has been set up to hear cases regarding child maintenance, domestic violence and spousal abuse, and other similar cases. A Quick Trial Court processes selected cases especially speedily.

Judicial Branch Members of the independent judiciary are appointed. The judiciary system includes: local magistrates grouped under the Magistrate’s Court The Supreme Court (Chief Justice) Court of Appeal

Alternative Justice Privy Council in London Caribbean Court of Justice

Local Government Belize has a system of local government comprising four types of local authorities: City councils (urban population) Town councils (urban population) Village councils (rural population)

Councils City and town councils consist of a mayor and a number of councillors (10 in Bz,6 in Bmp and towns) Village councils consist of a chairperson and six councillors. Village councils in their current form were established by the Village Councils Act 1999.

Mayor Mayors and councillors are directly elected to three-year terms. The mayor acts as the chief executive of the city or town, and allocates portfolios to the other councillors. Some villages have village chairman or alcalde who has both an administrative and judicial role.

Present Political Situation As of February 2008, the government of Belize is controlled by the UDP. UDP has confirmed majority in the House of Representatives after general elections of 7 February 2008.

Considering Communism When comparing the political systems of Belize and Cuba, we discover several pros and several cons. Belize is a democracy that has a lot of debts, social disorder, political corruption and development challenges. Cuba is a communistic country that structures its economy, societal roles, governance and development projections in order to avoid economic downfall, social decay, poor leadership and lapses in progress and to promote financial strengthening, societal cohesion, political acceptance and progressive development.

Defining Citizenship Citizenship is defined by citizens. Citizens acquire citizenship when they are born in a nation or when they qualify to become naturalized citizens. Citizens learn an appropriate behavior to become citizens. Schools are one of the societal institutions that have an active role in helping children and youth learn to live and work in their nation.

5 Views of Citizenship Education Knowledge of facts about government and constitution, as “real citizenship”. Willingness to vote (and to look for information about candidates, their positions on issues, etc.) A basic level of trust in institutions, sense of political efficacy, an ability to be thoughtfully critical about government policies, and other political attitudes (sometimes related to participation)

Respect for political opinions different from one’s own and respect for the rights of ethical, racial, or language groups Participation in service learning or community projects (or politically relevant youth organizations

Special Powers and Obligations of Citizens Bestowing both the power and right to rule on a government of their choice Selecting those who perform day-to-day governance Debating and compromising to instruct the government on the needs of the people and the types of policies desired

Monitoring the actions of governments and keeping informed on issues related to the collective good Balancing their own self-interest with the collective good

Qualities of a Citizen An interest in public affairs and a sense of “public regardedness” Tolerance and respect for conflicts arising from divergent values and beliefs The ability to examine consequences and to assess the likelihood of alternatives achieving desired goals. The ability to assess both long-and short-term consequences

Every Citizen Should Get to Know: What is government and what should it do? What are the basic values and principles of Belizean Democracy? What is the relationship of Belize to other nations and to world affairs? How does the government established by the Constitution embody the purposes, values, and principles of Belize’s democracy? What are the roles of the citizens in Belizean democracy?

Citizen Education Includes: Participatory Skills: Interacting-through communication and cooperation in political and civic life Monitoring- the work and actions of political leaders and institutions Influencing- others and institutions to deal with issues consistent with democratic values and principles

Improving Lesson Ideas for Teachers Examine the presentation of a story as it appears in a television news broadcast. Analyze news stories in the newspaper and television for their length and content. Compare different types of television programs and written articles. Follow a big news story through its development over time.

Examine the trade-off’s involved in the quality of information and the speed of transmitting a story. Ask students to generate questions that they still have after reading or hearing a news story. Interview adults about some very significant event and ask how they got their information.

Interview local journalist about their profession and the problems they encounter in their work. Have students assume the role of a journalist.

Benefits of Community Participation Gaining a sense or a stake in the community Gaining a sense of self-worth and responsibility Practicing such important skills as cooperation, decision making, problem solving, and planning or organizing projects Gaining exposure to positive role models and career possibilities

Increasing a sense of control over their environment Increasing a personal interaction with a wider variety of people of other ages and cultural backgrounds

Developing Political Awareness Through Categories of Citizen Participation Participation in aspects of the electorial process Participation in grass-roots citizen actions Involvement in providing advice to form governmental policies and practicies Participation in obligatory activities

Types of Community Services/School-based Activities Using the community as a laboratory in which to practice skills learned in the classroom as a part of the regular curriculum. Special events or co-curricular activities sponsored by the school or a curb Specially designed courses with class work and participation components

Programs designed for specific groups of students, such as students at risk or those with disabilities Career-oriented programs with emphasis on specific work skills or a professional orientation in which the students work part of the school day.

Participation in Student Government Student participation in student government of their own school through student councils has long been a tradition in schools. Such participation allows at least some students to practice democracy when the school administration gives students the freedom to initiate issues and solve problems.

Political Participation Some elementary teachers work directly with their students to influence the formation of public policies at a district and national levels.

Tips to Solving Social Problems Choose a problem Do your research Brainstorm possible solutions Build coalitions of support Identify your opposition Advertise Raise money Carry out your solution Evaluate Don’t give up

Law-related Education The law-related education movement began because of the concern of lawyers and educators over the failure of the traditional textbook approach of civic education to provide a living content and vibrant activities for students. Advocates of law-related education (LRE) often criticize school civics curricula because students are taught the unrealistic perspective of a society that is in harmony and free from conflict.

Conclusion The end