Central America in the Balance: Prospects for the 1990s

Abstract

What are the prospects for peace, democracy, social justice, and popular sovereignty in Central America in the "post Cold-War" order? Particularly in the wake of the electoral defeat of the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, the balance appears overwhelmingly negative. But from a longer-range perspective, the future is less determined and the balance is less one-sided than might at first appear. Following two decades of upheaval before the Sandinista triumph in 1979, the struggles of the last ten years have seen advances and setbacks. But above all, these revolutionary processes have permanently transformed the region and its people, and they can be expected to continue into the future, albeit in new forms.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.