Political traditions and the limits of democracy in Colombia

Abstract

A critical juncture in the political history of Colombia was the signing in Spain of the Declaration of Benidorm, an agreement between the leaders of Colombia's two traditionally antagonistic parties, Liberals and Conser? vatives. This agreement was designed to reaffirm Colombia's democratic procedures by ousting the then dictator Gustavo Rojas Pinilla and propos? ing a form of bipartisan government that would put an end to the nation's history of inter-party struggles. In this paper we analyze the history of democratic politics in Colombia and their limited possibilities because of the underlying force of Catholicism in the world views of the dominant leaders. The highly symbolic language of the Declaration of Benidorm ac? centuates this Catholic ethos. Its content highlights some of the major is? sues that have tarnished the nation's political history and prevented the establishment of an open democratic system, free of political violence.