NCJ Number
129056
Editor(s)
K J Mijeski
Date Published
1991
Length
363 pages
Annotation
These eight essays analyze the 1987 Nicaraguan constitution from a variety of viewpoints; all regard it as central to an understanding of political life in contemporary Nicaragua.
Abstract
Individual papers consider the nature of constitutionalism before the 1979 revolution, the political context in which the constitution was developed, the public debates regarding the draft constitution, the level of protection of civil and political rights under the new constitution, and the constitution's handling of the issue of governance through mass participation versus governance through representation. Some papers conclude that the constitution is nothing more than a facade for arbitrary and capricious rule, while others argue that the document reflects clear commitments to the democratic rule of law. The authors include academicians and a journalist. Chapter reference notes and list of monographs from the same publisher