Making Puerto Rico A State: A Win-Win Opportunity

Since Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain to the United States at the end of the Spanish-American War, the status of Puerto Rico has been adjusted at various times and has continually been an issue of controversy. In recent decades, the controversy has focused on whether Puerto Rico should become a state, remain in its current territorial status, or become an independent nation. This paper explains how Puerto Rico’s territorial status has created a condition of dependency, doing substantial harm to the island’s economic condition. The period of successful economic growth in decades immediately following World War II created some rapid economic growth, but firmly established the era of dependence that has been so economically detrimental. Thus the current status has to be rejected as a basis for long-run economic success in Puerto Rico. Statehood, in particular, holds out the likelihood of gains for both the United States and Puerto Rico, a win-win situation. The Puerto Rican people have increasingly come to favor the statehood option. With a recognition of the opportunity for a win-win outcome, the foundation for a move to statehood would be established.