The PRD, Joaquín Balaguer and Politics in the Dominican Republic, 1966-1973

University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 1-1-1975 Political party opposition in Latin America : the PRD, Joaquín Balaguer and politics in the Dominican Republic, 1966-1973. Michael J. Kryzanek University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1 Recommended Citation Kryzanek, Michael J., "Political party opposition in Latin America : the PRD, Joaquín Balaguer and politics in the Dominican Republic, 1966-1973." (1975). Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014. 1915. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_1/1915 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations 1896 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. POLITICAL PARTY OPPOSITION IN LATIN AMERICA THE PRD, JOAQUIN BALAGUER AND POLITICS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1966-1973 A Dissertation Presented by Michael J. Kryzanek Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY February 1975 Political Science POLITICAL PARTY OPPOSITION IN LATIN AMERICA THE PRD, JOAQUIN BALAGUER AND POLITICS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1966-1973 A Dissertation by Michael J. Kryzanek Approved as to style and content by: Howard Wiarda, Chairman of Committee Harvey Kline, Member H Jane Loy, Member v v Glen Gordon, DepDepartment Head Political Science February 1975 For my wife, Carol IV PREFACE This thesis examines political party opposition in the Dominican Republic. The major focus of this study is on the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano (PRD) as it oper- ated since the 1966 presidential elections. The examination of the PRD was undertaken because of a definite void in the study of opposition politics in Latin America. Also, the investigation of the PRD in Dominican politics serves, as a means of exploring the problems involved with forming and utilizing democratic institutions and procedures in order to cope with or control conflicts between the government and opposition groups. The bulk of the research for this study of the Dominican Republic and the PRD was conducted in the summer of 1972 when this writer interviewed a number of Party leaders and those with a working knowledge of Dominican politics. While in the Dominican Republic extensive research was also undertaken at the Archivo Nacional where secondary sources such as newspapers, magazines and docu- ments were examined. The actual writing of the thesis was accomplished in 1973 and 1974 with the aid of current news reports and analyses to help keep abreast with the constantly changing political climate in the Dominican Republic. v vi In order to compile the data and complete this study it is , necessary to extend gratitude to a number of very helpful and concerned people. Special gratitude goes out to those PRD members, especially Casimiro Castro, Emmanual Espinal and Rueben Suro, who answered questions and gave up their time , to aid an inquisitive graduate stu- dent. Thanks also goes to the United States Embassy Staff, especially Charles Blum who was most cooperative and expanded my understanding of Dominican politics. Senor Julio Julia of the Archivo Nacional and his staff must also be thanked for their gracious hospitality. A study such as this is not only the result of per- sonal interviews and library research, but also of encouragement, kindness and criticism from a number of very concerned and considerate colleagues. Initial thanks must go to Professors Edward Williams and Harry Kantor who were instrumental in directing me toward an academic career with an interest in Latin American politics. Professors Harvey Kline and Jane Loy must also be singled out as quite helpful in reading and criticizing the final draft of the thesis. The person most deserving of my thanks and admiration is Professor Howard Wiarda. His constant help and attention from the early days of planning to the guided tour of the Dominican Republic to the tedious work of writing and rewriting were invaluable. Without exaggeration this thesis vii would not be possible if not for Professor Wiarda's guidance. Also I want to thank my typist, Barbara Doten, for her invaluable assistance. Finally, very special thanks go out to my parents for their loving encouragement and my wife, Carol, for her patient understanding during the writing of this dissertation. Political Party Opposition in Latin America The PRD, Joaquin Balaguer and Politics in the Dominican Republic 1966-1972 (February 1975) Michael J. Kryzanek, B.A., Marquette University M.A., University of Massachusetts Directed by: Dr. Howard Wiarda This study seeks to describe and analyze the interaction of the opposition Partido Revolucionario Domin- anQ (PRD) with the j:£ government of Joaquin Balaguer in the most recent period of Dominican history, 1966-1973. The major concern in the examination of opposition—government interaction is to determine the general character of the PRD response to the policies and actions of the Balaguer regime. In the Dominican political system, where the once powerful PRD was relegated to a secondary position and the government showed little regard for the guarantees and procedures of democratic opposition, the subject of opposition- government serves as a helpful guide for judging the role and current status of political parties, traditional leadership patterns and Anglo-American style democracy. The investigation of the PRD opposition to the Balaguer government is presented from four research per- spectives. Because the PRD envisioned itself as a revolu- tionary party of social change and therefore posed a threat vm IX to the Balaguer regime. Party leaders, especially the former PRD president of the country, Juan Bosch, were continuously concerned with formulating and expounding a number of strategic positions that would serve as a means of responding to governmental initiatives. These strategic alternatives caused a wide range of discussion and dissension in the Party ranks, especially with regard to Bosch's controversial thesis of "Dictatorship with Popular Support" which advocated complete rejection of the Balaguerian political system. As a corollary to the PRD strategic alternatives, the Party engaged in a wide array of opposition tactics that served to visibly remind the Balaguer government that the PRD was still active and able to challenge the regime. The tactics of the legislative walk-out, nationwide educa- tion, street marches, and radio broadcasts of Juan Bosch were but some of the overt responses of the PRD to the Bala- guer government. The strategic and tactical responses of the PRD not only lengthened the gap between opposition and government, but caused serious disruptions within the PRD ranks. From 1966-1973 the Party seemed constantly in the throes of an internal rebellion between moderate, pro-democratic activists and radical abstentionists . The in-fighting eventually led to the resignation of Juan Bosch and the splitting of the X PRD into two distinct parties. While the PRD was concerned with the matter of internal dissension, the Balaguer government was quite active in attempting to decrease the Party's power. Presi- dent Balaguer in conjunction with his close aides, military advisors and National Police lieutenants began a successful three-pronged attack on the PRD. in an attempt to weaken the influence of the PRD in Dominican society, the Balaguer regime began full scale efforts to (1) depoliticize the pro-PRD support through massive economic programs; (2) subvert PRD leaders, associations and policy alternatives by clever use of bribery, infiltration and public relations techniques; and (3) repress known PRD activists with, a long list of terror tactics. Faced with a governmental regime that was intent on solidifying its hold on the Dominican political system and on internal leadership structure rent with factionalism, the PRD since 19 66 has shown definite signs of a gradual but persistent decline in political influence and opposition effectiveness. At the heart of the PRD's problem in the Dominican Republic is the ability of President Balaguer to mix and balance the Anglo-American democratic institutional structures (a constitution, parties, elections, legislatures) with the more traditional elements of Spanish rule such as paternalistic leadership, strong military collaboration in XI government, vigorous suppression of human rights and consistently conservative policy-making. The PRD, which has a long history of respect for An gl° American democracy, has had to face the reality of 3- political system that, although visually democratic, deprives the Party- of the ability to effectively challenge the ruling regime. President Balaguer has brought a "new look" to the political system with his introduction of a democratic framework and full-scale economic development. Unfortunately for the PRD, President Balaguer has not for- gotten the manner in which the dictator Trujillo handled the opposition. As a result the PRD has had to pay a high price for remaining an opposition party in the Dominican Republic. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE v Chapter I. LATIN AMERICAN OPPOSITION; AN INTRODUCTION ... 1 II. DOMINICAN HISTORY AND THE PRD; A LEGACY OF CON- FLICT, DEPENDENCY AND UNFULFILLED PROMISES ... 38 III. THE

Load more