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The Odious Haitian Independence Debt

Author

Listed:
  • Panizza, Ugo
  • Oosterlinck, Kim
  • Weidemaier, Mark
  • Gulati, Mitu

Abstract

This article introduces the Haitian Independence Debt of 1825 to the odious debt and sovereign debt literatures. We argue that the legal doctrine of odious debt is surprisingly and perhaps indefensibly narrow possibly because of historical contingency rather than any underlying logic or principle. The story of the Haitian Independence Debt of 1825 serves as an illustrative case study. In the context of telling that story, we provide estimates of the evolution of Haiti’s external debt-to-GDP ratio over 1825-2020, and discuss the implications of the independence debt for the economy of Haiti. We conclude by discussing the implications of Haiti’s Independence Debt for the doctrine of odious debt and the possibilities for Haiti to recover compensation.

Suggested Citation

  • Panizza, Ugo & Oosterlinck, Kim & Weidemaier, Mark & Gulati, Mitu, 2021. "The Odious Haitian Independence Debt," CEPR Discussion Papers 16413, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16413
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt
    • K34 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Tax Law
    • O54 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Latin America; Caribbean

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