The Paradox of Paternalism

Abstract

In the Dominican Republic, the period from the ascendancy of dictator Rafael Trujillo in the late 1920s through the twelve-year rule of his successor Joaquín Balaguer in 1978 has been understood through a highly masculine and paternalist lens. This book argues, however, that Dominican women throughout this period engaged in local and national politics, operated within complex inter-American relations, and employed the most current global political discourse to further their diverse personal and political agendas. Through various political circles and the maternalist discourse they engendered, women created viable avenues to formal and informal political participation at national and international levels. Concurrently, they also contributed to the continuity of dictatorial regimes and helped precipitate their downfalls. The Paradox of Paternalismdemonstrates that in working through both dictatorial regimes and transnational networks Dominican women built the foundations of a solid and practical women's movement. In addition to contributing to both the longevity of authoritarian leadership and its eventual demise, their efforts situate squarely the rise of late twentieth century women's liberation throughout the global south in both the complex networks of inter-American engagement and the maternalist politics of conservative rule.