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Elections and Democratization in Nicaragua: The 1990 Elections in Perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Philip J. Williams
Philip J. Williams*
Affiliation:
University of Florida
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Extract

The February 1990 elections in Nicaragua were hailed by the popular media and the US administration as signaling the country's rejection of authoritarian rule in favor of Western-style democracy. Most commentators interpreted the results in Nicaragua as part of a worldwide trend triggered by events in Eastern Europe. According to the conventional wisdom, as long as the Sandinistas handed over power, including control of the military and security forces, democracy would flourish in Nicaragua.

While competitive elections may be a necessary condition for democracy, they certainly are not a sufficient one. Throughout history, countless elections have been held, yet relatively few have contributed much of anything to the consolidation of democratic rule. Elections can serve a number of functions other than the public contestation of power. For example, they can be used to legitimize an incumbent regime, diffuse political opposition, or respond to foreign pressure.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , Winter 1990 , pp. 13 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © University of Miami 1990

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