Democratic Enclaves in Times of Trouble: The Politics of Resistance in Nicaragua

FAIN: FA-251189-17

Leslie Elin Anderson
University of Florida (Gainesville, FL 32611-0001)

A book-length study of the survival of democratic enclaves in Nicaragua.

A major concern about democratic consolidation is the presence of authoritarian enclaves that continue nondemocratic practices at the subnational level. Yet subnational politics is not always less democratic than national politics. In Nicaragua municipal government is more democratic than national government. This project shows how democratic enclaves can protect pluralism and help re-democratize a nation. Extensive research finds competitive elections and a subaltern politics of resistance in municipalities. These local dynamics constrain President Ortega’s oppression. We know that democratization comes gradually, requiring years to seep downward into society. This book demonstrates that the coming of authoritarianism is also gradual, allowing time for defiance. A politics of local resistance in Nicaragua is impeding Ortega’s authoritarianism and may outlast him entirely. The book uncovers a new challenge to authoritarianism: a subnational citizen politics of resistance.

Associated Products

Aquiescencia y resistencia: el régimen de Ortega en Nicaragua, Salamanca, Spain, , (Article)
Title: Aquiescencia y resistencia: el régimen de Ortega en Nicaragua, Salamanca, Spain, ,
Author: Leslie E. Anderson
Author: Lawrence C. Dodd
Author: Won-ho Park
Abstract: Aquiescencia y Resistencia: El Regimen de Ortega en Nicaragua Leslie Anderson, Lawrence C. Dodd, and Won-ho Park Palabras clave: dictadura, régimen híbrido, Nicaragua, Ortega, resistencia popular. Nicaragua ha sido noticia recientemente por las protestas contra Daniel Ortega. Elegido legítimamente en 2006, se ha convertido en un dictador. Inicialmente los ciudadanos consintieron, disfrutando de sus programas sociales. Cuando terminaron, también lo hizo la aquiescencia. Nicaragua muestra cómo un presidente electo puede convertirse en dictador. También muestra los límites tanto del autoritarismo como de la aquiescencia. Es posible que los ciudadanos silenciosos solo hayan llegado a un trato desesperado, que terminará cuando terminen los programas sociales. Acquiescence and Resistance: Ortega’s Dictatorship in Nicaragua Leslie Anderson, Lawrence C. Dodd, and Won-ho Park Key words: dictatorship, hybrid regime, Nicaragua, Ortega, popular resistance Nicaragua has recently been in the news because of popular protests against Daniel Ortega. Legitimately elected in 2006, Ortega has become a dictator. Initially citizens acquiesced, enjoying his social programs. As those ended, so did acquiescence. Nicaragua shows how an elected president can become a dictator with popular acquiescence. Yet it also shows the limits of both authoritarianism and acquiescence. Silent citizens may only have struck a desperate bargain, which will end if and when social programs end.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http://https://revistas.usal.es/index.php/1130-2887/article/view/20295
Primary URL Description: open access journal publication
Access Model: published online through First View 4/16/21 at https://revistas.usal.es/index.php/1130-2887/article/view/20295
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: America Latina Hoy
Publisher: América Latina Hoy

Robert Dahl, la Constitución Estadounidense y Donald Trump: Algunas consideraciones sobre la supervivencia de la democracia en los Estados Unidos, (Robert Dahl, the American Constitution and Donald Trump: Some Thoughts on Democracy’s Survival in the Uni (Article)
Title: Robert Dahl, la Constitución Estadounidense y Donald Trump: Algunas consideraciones sobre la supervivencia de la democracia en los Estados Unidos, (Robert Dahl, the American Constitution and Donald Trump: Some Thoughts on Democracy’s Survival in the Uni
Author: Leslie E. Anderson
Abstract: Robert Dahl, la Constitución Estadounidense y Donald Trump Algunas consideraciones sobre la supervivencia de la democracia en los Estados Unidos Resumen Leslie E. Anderson En este artículo tomo como referencia el libro de Robert Dahl, How Democratic is the American Constitution? (¿Cuán democrática es la Constitución de los Estados Unidos?) para analizar los sucesos políticos contemporáneos en los Estados Unidos. Si bien el espíRobert Dahl, the American Constitution and Donald Trump Some Thoughts on Democracy’s Survival in the United States Abstract Leslie E. Anderson This article uses Robert Dahl’s book, How Democratic is the American Constitution? to examine contemporary political events in the United States. While the Constitution was intended to promote democracy in spirit, it is not democratic in three particulars: the Senate, Supreme Court and Electoral College are barriers against the people’s opinion. Recent events show that each of these institutions has defied majority opinion and tilted policy toward the right, advantaging the wealthy. When these institutions combine with the presence of an authoritarian leader, supported by a non-democratic party, the threat to American democracy is extreme. The article then examines three additional issues that derive from the Senate, Court and College: impeachment, the non-democratic electorate and rogues inside elected chambers. These issues endanger democracy further. Recent events show that Dahl was correct that these institutions are a danger to democracy. They have exaggerated the threat of authoritarianism rather than protecting against tyranny, increasing the likelihood of democratic breakdown. Dahl argues that we should reduce the influence of these institutions, making the political system more faithful to the spirit of the Constitution. Conversations about several such changes are underway now. Key words: American Constitution, democratic breakdown, Senate, Supreme Court, Electoral College
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http://http://www.huellasdeeua.com/index.html
Primary URL Description: open access journal publication
Access Model: open access
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Huellas de los Estados Unidos,
Publisher: Huellas de los Estados Unidos, (Buenos Aires), October, 2021.

“The Tip of the Iceberg: Protest and Resistance in an Authoritarian Regime,” with Won-ho Park, Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, Il, April 7-10, 2022. (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “The Tip of the Iceberg: Protest and Resistance in an Authoritarian Regime,” with Won-ho Park, Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, Il, April 7-10, 2022.
Author: Leslie E. Anderson
Author: Won-ho Park
Abstract: The Tip of the Iceberg Protest and Resistance in an Authoritarian Regime Leslie E. Anderson and Won-ho Park Abstract This paper grows out of a larger project on democratic decline in Nicaragua. That project examines the gradual breakdown of Nicaragua’s democracy between 2006 and today. During that time, Nicaragua moved from being a developing democracy to becoming a hybrid regime to being a fully authoritarian regime. The project shows how democracy declined in Nicaragua, owing largely to gradual power aggrandizement by Daniel Ortega. Ortega won the 2006 election, the nation’s last free election. National elections since then have been increasingly fraudulent. Citizens initially acquiesced in Ortega’s non-constitutional accumulation of power because of generous social programs that he provided, funded by Venezuela. Citizen support for Ortega changed in April 2018, when Nicaragua’s population exploded in protest against him. The protesters initially called only for the reinstatement of social security benefits, which Ortega had cancelled. However, his brutal repression of the protesters caused them to demand his ouster. The protests crashed the economy and attracted international attention but failed to oust Ortega. This paper uses public opinion data to scrutinize the extent of opposition to the Ortega regime. We examine citizen involvement in the protests but find protest participation to be only the tip of the iceberg; opposition runs much deeper. We then compare citizen support for open street protest with two additional forms of resistance: 1) something that we call soft protest and 2) support for a national dialogue to remove Ortega under negotiated circumstances. Soft protest is more organized and effective than everyday resistance but less dangerous than street protest in a repressive setting. Support for the national dialogue is an attitude rather than an act of resistance and uncovers further the depth of passive, cautious opposition to O
Date: 04/10/2022
Conference Name: Midwest Political Science Association

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