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| Central American University - UCA |
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Number 101 | Diciembre 1989 |
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Nicaragua
Idologies in Conflict: Platforms of Four Nicaraguan Political Parties
Envío team
Platform Areas
CONSOLIDATION: SANDINISTA NATIONAL LIBERATION FRONT (FSLN)
Party History and General Politics
1979 triumph through people's armed insurrection. Roots in Sandinismo (anti-imperialist nationalism), Democratic Marxism and Christian Justice.
Principal Problems Facing Nicaragua
US-sponsored contra war and economic embargo that has crippled economy.
International Relations
Supports Esquipulas peace process, normalization with US. Promotes Latin American unity. Supports Non-Alignment, New International Economic Order.
Constitution and Government
Consolidation of existing Constitution: anti-imperialism, political pluralism, nonalignment.
Popular Participation
Political pluralism based on right to vote; participatory democracy through popular organizations; municipal autonomy.
Economy
Austerity program and injection of international funding. Mixed economy and concertation. Use of state planning and free market to stimulate production.
Agrarian Reform
Distribute state lands and lands abandoned because of the war to 25,000 families.
Social Programs
Include housing, health, education, transport and infrastructure improvements.
Women, Environment and the Atlantic Coast
Women's full participation and legislated rights; development based on environmental impact; consolidation of autonomy.
Religion
"We will continue to guarantee ...freedom of religion."
Military
Decrease size of army for times of peace. Reduce military draft, use army for civilian projects.
Human Rights and Amnesty
Constitutional guarantees of human and social rights; amnesty offered to all contras; prisoner releases in accord with peace process.
Platform Areas
RADICALIZING: MARXIST-LENINIST POPULAR ACTION MOVEMENT (MAP)
Party History and General Politics
Marxist-Leninist tradition; promotes strictly proletarian Marxism; chose not to align with PRT or MUR for elections
Principal Problems Facing Nicaragua
Betrayal of socialism and the working class; concessions to bourgeoisie and contras
International Relations
No normalization with the U.S.; opposes Esquipulas for co-opting sovereignty; promotes proletarian internationalism
Constitution and Government
Socialist Constitution; institutionalize direct power of the masses; redefine economic policy
Popular Participation
"Popular representative assembly" as highest decision-making body; worker participation and control
Economy
No concessions or support to large private enterprise; no concertation; limit free market; minimum wage based on cost of living
Agrarian Reform
Immediate confiscation of contra supporters' lands; absolutely no return of confiscated land
Social Programs
Free health care; references to culture, housing and education
Women, Environment and the Atlantic Coast
Advocates full equality between men and women; legal abortions; new autonomy law; no policy on environment
Religion
No policy.
Military
Supports military draft; decrease professional army, replace with popular militias
Human Rights and Amnesty
Opposes amnesty for contras and National Guardsmen.
Platform Areas
REFORM: SOCIAL CHRISTIAN PARTY
Party History and General Politics
Advocates "Third Way;" member of Coordinadora alliance, which boycotted 1984 elections; allied with Popular Social Christian Party and Miskito group Yatama.
Principal Problems Facing Nicaragua
Totalitarian and atheistic character of government; ties to USSR and Cuba.
International Relations
"True non-alignment;" alliance with Christian Democratic parties in Latin America and Europe.
Constitution and Government
Prohibit "hegemonic" party; limit presidential term; municipal autonomy and direct election of mayors.
Popular Participation
Reformist system of worker-owned and managed enterprises; right to strike; freedom to organize; eliminate CDS.
Economy
Controlled, benevolent capitalism; increased penetration of foreign capital; international aid from all sources.
Agrarian Reform
Vague references to "extending benefits to peasants;" "no land given justly will be returned."
Social Programs
Patchwork of undefined proposals; campaigns against AIDS and drugs.
Women, Environment and the Atlantic Coast
Limited mention of women; stress on family; environmental protection; "integral autonomy process for the Atlantic Region."
Religion
Respect for religious values; freedom of worship.
Military
Reduce army; end military draft; professionalize and de-politicize army.
Human Rights and Amnesty
General amnesty based on Esquipulas Accords.
Platform Areas
ROLLBACK: NATIONAL OPPOSITION UNION (UNO)
Party History and General Politics
Origins in Coordinadora alliance; 11 parties from far right to nominally left; envisions return to Somocismo.
Principal Problems Facing Nicaragua
Overwhelming state control over economy. Betrayal of original revolutionary principles led to confrontation with US.
International Relations
Realignment with US and strengthened ties with Western-style democracies.
Constitution and Government
Calls 1987 Constitution "autocratic and totalitarian"; says it must be scrapped for new one.
Popular Participation
Freedom to strike and "right to work" given prominence; scant mention of other popular sectors.
Economy
Return economic power to large entrepreneurs; increased private sector rapprochement with US seen as solution.
Agrarian Reform
Private property enshrined; "deserving cases" of confiscation to be reassessed; original Blue and White Plan would mean rollback of agrarian reform.
Social Programs
More privatization of health care, education and other social service programs.
Women, Environment and the Atlantic Coast
Strengthen women's role in family; brief mention of environment; stated support for indigenous rights.
Religion
UNO as moral, Christian choice; no policy statements on religion per se.
Military
Dismantle existing army; no link between army and any party; no draft.
Human Rights and Amnesty
Emphasize property rights and enforce amnesty programs.
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a monthly magazine of analysis on Central America