Loma Linda University TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects 9-1985 The Legacy of the Three Presidencies of Arnulfo Arias Madrid Sandra Blackman Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd Part of the Latin American History Commons, Political History Commons, and the Political Science Commons Recommended Citation Blackman, Sandra, "The Legacy of the Three Presidencies of Arnulfo Arias Madrid" (1985). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 535. https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/535 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects by an authorized administrator of TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Abstract THE Lro.ACY OF THE THREE PRESIDENCIES OF ARNULFO ARIAS MADRID by Sandra Blackman Arnulfo Arias Madrid colored the history of Panama with his eccen- tric, jingoistic, and often humorous escapades. His presidencies were brief, but provided a lasting influence on the country's political system. Arias formed the first really cohesive political party, made up largely of the Panamanian middle class. The party has survived more than four decades, unlike any other p:>litical party in that country. It has, however, changed its name with the times. Arias ostensibly based his party on long-term national goals, but once in office sought to advance his personal interests and to centralize power. In so doing he deprived.