Biography

Article Title

Territorial Pathways: Antecedents, Trajectory, and the Future of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Abstract

In 1952, during the beginnings of the Decolonization Era, the United States established a new political arrangement in Puerto Rico, putting and end to half-century of direct colonialism of its Caribbean territory. Throughout the first half of the Twentieth Century, the US ruled Puerto Rico following the British model of direct rule, with an externally appointed governor and staff, and limited political participation of domestic groups. However, through the establishment of the Commonwealth, in 1952, a significant measure of self-government was granted to Puerto Rico, which expanded fiscal autonomy within the US political system and expanded the participation of the Island´s political class in the administration of the territory.

However, the creation of the Commonwealth did not efface Puerto Rico’s colonial quandaries. Throughout the post World War 2 period, political forces in Puerto Rico have sought various models for moving away from the colonial status, from the conversion of the Island into a US state, full-fledged independence, and various proposals for enlarging political autonomy within a continued territorial relationship with the United States.

This paper revises the historical context leading to the creation of the Commonwealth, and discusses the continuities and discontinuities of United States territorial policy during the past six decades. It also compares and contrasts the economic, cultural, and constitutional proposals that are currently debated in the political arena of the Island, and outlines various exits strategies to colonialism in Puerto Rico.