The Political Economy of Revolutionary Nicaragua

This book, first published in 1987, is a solid, analytical exploration of the complex dynamics of the revolutionary economic transformation from 1979 to 1986. This collection of eleven essays provides a clear picture of the goals, internal debates, external influences and shifting policy decisions which affected the efforts of the Sandinista government. They help to clarify the dynamics between soaring food prices and falling wages, and explain the complex relationship between the private sector and the state. They also document the policies of the Reagan administration toward the Sandinista government. This book, first published in 1987, is a solid, analytical exploration of the complex dynamics of the revolutionary economic transformation from 1979 to 1986. It provides a clear picture of the goals, internal debates, external influences and shifting policy decisions which affected the efforts of the Sandinista government. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Original Title Page 6 Original Copyright Page 7 Table of Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 About the Authors 12 Introduction 16 Part I: Overview of the New Economic Model 28 A Structural Overview of the Nicaraguan Economy 30 The Mixed Economy in Nicaragua: The Economic Battlefield 58 The State and Planning in Nicaragua 76 Part II: Development Priorities and Dilemmas 98 Industrial Development Strategies in Revolutionary Nicaragua 100 Banking Systems and Revolutionary Change: The Politics of Agricultural Credit in Nicaragua 120 Domestic Supply and Food Shortages 142 Part III: External Pressures and Foreign Relations 164 Foreign Debt and Economic Stabilization Policies in Revolutionary Nicaragua 166 Patterns of Changing External Trade in Revolutionary Nicaragua: Voluntary and Involuntary Trade Diversification 184 An Evaluation of the Economic Costs to Nicaragua of U.S. Aggression: 1980-1984 210 Part IV: The Economic Outlook for the Revolution 230 The New Economic Policy: A Necessary Readjustment 232 Troubles Everywhere: An Economic Perspective on the Sandinista Revolution 248 Index 262 Political economy,Political upheaval,Protest,Protest movements,Revolution,Uprising,Violent protest