Abstract
Puerto Rico has little choice left post Maria. The islands’ revitalization must come from within. The reality of mixed political status, economic recession, large out-migration, environmental degradation, and a nonresponsive federal government, leaves the islands with few choices but to become more self-sufficient. In addition to academic research, the authors of this paper speak from their experience delivering legal and humanitarian aid as part of the islands’ disaster recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria. This paper starts by discussing Puerto Rico’s experience with colonialism, the federal government’s consistent reaffirmations of this status, and the unsustainable political, economic, and social outgrowth of this relationship. It then argues that PROMESA must be changed to protect municipal agency in local decision making. Keeping in mind the reality of Puerto Rico’s legal status, it asserts economic development law should be changed to energize community-based economic development with the intent of localizing necessary economic goods. This localization produces an increase in individual economic wealth and helps retain that wealth within the local Puerto Rican economy, while simultaneously increasing political power. It explains that the focus on necessary economic goods ensures that the islands are resilient, self-sufficient, and responsive in the face of economic, environmental, and political shocks by reducing dependence on imports. Additionally, this model relies on community-level capacity building as the vehicle for its success. This paper then presents two applications of that model to Puerto Rico’s agriculture and energy sectors. The implementation of this framework must occur at the local municipal level because it appears to be the only viable fiscal area for opportunity not expressly falling under the scrutiny of PROMESA. Drafting municipal-level policy that localizes necessary economic goods, invests in community capacity, and keeps wealth on the islands will bring sustainable prosperity. Moreover, this paper stresses the importance of government officials, law and policy-makers, and other leaders to create structures that promotes individual choice making and supports the islands’ revitalization.
