THE CONSTRUCTION OF DEMOCRACY IN NICARAGUA

The purpose of this article is to analyze the construction of democracy as part of the broader process of carrying out a social revolution in Nicaragua. Argues that the Sandinista government demonstrated a long-range commitment to developing a revolutionary pluralism, based on the integration of representative and popular/participatory democracy. This commitment to a pluralistic revolution was reinforced by Nicaragua's objective situation. In order to guarantee the survival of the revolution, especially in the absence of extensive and consistently available external support, the Sandinistas had to respond to internal demands of various kinds. Objective realities made it necessary to remain accountable and responsive to a broad political base over the long range. -from Authors