The "ac" code is for "adequacy-confidence"--a
data
quality measure ranging from 0 (low) to 9
(high)
Party name and code number
Paraguayan Liberal Party,
363
Partido Liberal
Information base and
researchers
The information base for party
politics in Paraguay consists of 771 pages from 51 documents, nine
of which are in Spanish. A total of 133 pages or 17 percent
pertain to the Liberal Party. Marcelino Miyares, Judith Newsome
Gillespie, and Jean Jacobsohn indexed the literature. Doreen
Kostel Ellis coded the variables.
Institutionalization Variables,
1.01-1.06
1.01 year of origin and 1.02 name
changes
1887, AC9
0, AC9
The Liberal Party was formed in
1887 in an effort to defend the interests of the businessmen and
intellectuals through an organized means. While the party did not
change its name during our time period, in 1967 it became the
radical Liberal Party (Partido Liberal Radical) to distinguish
itself from the Renovacion Liberals who competed in the 1962
elections.
1.03 organizational
discontinuity
8, AC9
The Renovacion split from the
Liberal Party to play the role of "legal" opposition. It should
thus be distinguished from the Liberal Party which was illegal
throughout our period.
1.04 leadership
competition
14, AC7
There is no doubt that the
leadership has changed hands, but due to the fact that the
leadership of this party is in exile, there may be more than one
leader at a time. This does not necessarily mean that the leaders
are competing against each other.
1.05 / 2.05 legislative
instability and strength
Instability is
undefined
Strength is .00, AC9
The Liberal Party was banned
during our time period. Although it is clear that the party held
no seats in the legislature and that its legislative strength
score is 0 for both halves of our time period, a score for
legislative instability cannot be calculated because the party was
banned from the legislature.
1.06 / 2.06 electoral instability
and strength
Instability is 1.83,
AC3
Strength is undefined
There were elections in 1953 ,
1958, and 1960, but the Liberal Party was banned and did not
compete in any of these elections. Therefore, its strength score
cannot be calculated, but its electoral instability score is
high.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 government
discrimination
16, AC9
The actual Liberal Party was
illegal during our period. A splinter group named the Renovacion
Liberal was allowed by Stroessner to participate in elections in
1962. This was not acknowledged by the Liberal Party as
representing itself.
2.02 governmental
leadership
0 out of 7, AC9
0 out of 6, AC9
The Colorados have held all
government posts since before 1950, to the exclusion of the
opposition parties in Paraguay.
2.03 cabinet
participation
0 out of 7, AC9
0 out of 6, AC9
Only Colorado party members are
given cabinet or advisory posts.
2.04 national
participation
5, AC8
The Liberals have (as the
Colorados) spread their party throughout Paraguay. Most
Paraguayans are members of the two traditional parties, the
Liberals or the Colorados. There is variation in the degree of
strength across the country, resembling the various geographic
pockets of strength of the caraies, the original leaders of the
party.
2.07 outside origin
6, AC7
It appears that the Liberal Party
was formed by a group of prominent citizens of Paraguayan society
known as caraies (the paternalistic leaders of the
encomiendas).
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 ownership of means of
production
3, AC3
There is not sufficient
information on this code to say more than the Liberals are
generally conceived to be a party in the old Adam Smith Liberal
tradition and would thus oppose government ownership of the means
of production. After our time period, however, the party shifted
to favor state intervention.
5.02 government role in economic
planning
0, AC6
The Liberal Party appears to be
very good at making vague and ambiguous statements. Their
declaration of principles makes a vague reference to the need for
government planning, but does not make any specific
propositions.
5.03 redistribution of
wealth
3 for 1st half, AC8
3 for 2nd half, AC8
The Liberal Party has spoken of
land reform (which is that wealth which is most in need of
redistribution) in two different ways during our time period.
Traditionally and in the first part of our time period, the
Liberals were seen as a conservative party which desired the
maintenance of the old political and economic structures in
Paraguay. But as of the second half of our time period, especially
as of the 1960's, it appears that Liberals reoriented their
policy, perhaps due to the new influence of the more radical
Febreristas in their coalition. They then saw the need for
agrarian reform to aid the economy.
5.04 social welfare
3 for 1st half, AC3
1 for 2nd half, AC3
Traditionally the Liberals have
been of a conservative character in their views on social welfare.
They are coded in this manner for the first half of our time
period, although there is no firm evidence in the material that
this is truly their theory at that time. In the second half of the
time period, Pastore, the Liberal leader, made some general
statements about the need for social justice and the need to
rescue the Paraguayans from ignorance, hunger and illness. This is
coded as somewhat promoting the provision of social welfare
benefits, because the Liberal statement was too general for a
stronger code.
5.05 secularization of
society
AC2
The material on the relation of
the Liberal Party to the church is confusing, to say the least.
One source says that the Liberals advocate the separation of
church and state and another source says that the Liberals defend
the union of the church and the state.
5.06 support of the
military
0, AC8
There is little information
dealing with the feelings of the Liberal Party towards support of
the armed forces during our time period, beyond some vague
statements about the need to depoliticize the army in their
declaration of principles. This is an obvious reaction to their
illegal status.
5.07 alignment with east-west
blocs
0, AC9
The Liberals want no alliances
with the communists or with the U.S. they have proclaimed
themselves anti-communist on many occasions to disprove
Stroessner's charges that they conspire with the communists. They
have also protested against Colorado dependence upon U.S. aid and
have protested against the U.S. for supporting the "Colorado
tyranny" during our time period.
5.08 anti-colonialism
AC1
There was no information
whatsoever on this variable code.
5.09 supranational
integration
1, AC6
The Liberal declaration of
principles states that the Liberals are in favor of regional
economic integration, but stops at this level of supranational
integration.
5.10 national
integration
AC1
There was no pertinent
information on this variable code. There were some general
statements about the high nationalism of Paraguayan political
parties and the need the Liberals felt for a unification of
opposition parties, but they were insufficient for this code. The
unification of opposition parties is not necessarily an
integrating device. The Liberals also call for "nationalism" in
their declaration of principles, but make no further specific
propositions about it.
5.11 electoral
participation
AC1
There were no statements in the
material about Liberal theory on the extension of the franchise in
our time period, only about actions in the past. I would hesitate
to code this party on past actions, especially since it appears
that it was changing during our time period.
5.12 protection of civil
rights
3, AC5
Being an illegal party during our
time period, the Liberals were constantly protesting for a return
of civil rights to the Paraguayan population. They were especially
adamant about the need to free all political prisoners and to
institute true political freedom.
5.13 interference with civil
liberties
AC1
On this variable, there is no
information beyond the fact that the Liberals are in favor of
freedom of assembly and of the press.
5.14 / 5.15 us--soviet experts
left-right ratings
US says 2, center
Soviets say 2, one of the
traditional bourgeoisie parties. It expresses the interests of
part of the commercial industrial bourgeoisie and landowners, and
it enjoys a limited influence among the intelligentsia and student
groups.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 open competition in the
electoral process
2 for 1st half, AC5
1 for 2nd half, AC5
This variable has been coded as
such because although the Liberals desire reform in the electoral
processes, any competition for government positions is limited
because it is an illegal party. Before union with the Febreristas
they leaned more towards coordination with Stroessner--later the
Liberals became more radical. Thus ideally they are more dependent
upon the electoral process and competition, but due to their
position they boycott elections and actively oppose the government
outside of party competition. This willingness for subversive
activity does occur more in the second half of the time
period.
6.10 restricting party
competition
0, AC5
The Liberals are illegal, thus
cannot restrict party competition in any way--they are outside of
the electoral process. In fact, in the second part of our time
period, the opposition parties have completely withdrawn from
competition by boycotting elections.
6.20 subverting the political
system
2 for 1st half, AC5
3 for 2nd half, AC5
The Liberals have moved more
towards actively subverting political processes (or at least
supporting such subversion in theory) as they have been more
influenced by the Febreristas in the second half of our time
period. This increased desire for subversive measures has probably
also occurred because of the increased deportations-- persons
outside of the country cannot change the electoral process by
competition methods.
6.30 propagandizing ideas and
program
6.31--2, AC9. It appears that
when the Liberals can use the mass communications media, they do
so. This depends upon the whim of the coloime to show his modern
reforms to secure aid from the U.S.
6.32--AC1. There was no
information on this subject in the material.
6.33--AC1. There was no
information on this subject in the material.
6.34--2, AC9. The Liberals
publish position papers in an effort to build resistance and sway
support from Stroessner.
6.50 providing for welfare of
party members
AC1
There is no information about
this entire cluster of variables.
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 sources of funds
7, AC3
I would suppose that the Liberals
collected most of their funds through the contributions of
members, as they are an illegal party and would thus have
difficulty appealing to any social groups.
7.02 source of
members
5, AC8
It is said that membership in the
Liberal Party (as in the Colorados) comes at birth. Apart from
this ascriptive community tie, membership is direct rather than
indirect.
7.03 sources of
leaders
AC1
The Liberals (the traditional
party) did not compete in the parliamentary or governmental
elections due to their illegal status. There is no real
information about the source of the party leaders beyond the fact
that they are educated--this could place them in one or more than
one institutional sector.
7.04 relations with domestic
parties
7 for 1st half, AC3
5 for 2nd half, AC9
In the first half of our time
period we can infer that the Liberals were completely autonomous
of any domestic alliances because it appears that they did not
undertake too much of the political action planned by the party
directorate. Between 1957-62 this changes and the Liberals join a
coalition with the Febreristas called the Union Nacional
Paraguaya. This coalition was formed to coordinate the
anti-Stroessner forces.
7.05 relations with foreign
organizations
5, AC3
By virtue of the fact that there
is no information about any links with an international
organization, it seems that the Liberals are totally a national
organization.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 structural
articulation
6, AC5
Though the material is sketchy on
this variable, it appears that the Liberals have at least two
major national organs, the national convention and the party
directorate. The selection procedure appears to be that of
indirect representation in the election of the directorate
(members elect a national convention which picks a directorate).
Their functions are largely indeterminate.
8.02 intensiveness of
organization
4, AC3
The Liberals are divided into
comites, which are based on the branch form of
divisions.
8.03 extensiveness of
organization
5, AC6
The most intensive level of
organization is scattered throughout the country, but again, as
the strength of the party is variable across the country , so is
the local organization.
8.04 frequency of local
meetings
AC1
There is no information given
about the frequency of the local organization
meetings.
8.05 frequency of national
meetings
AC1
There is no information given on
the frequency of national meetings for the directorate. The
national convention's meetings were curtailed due to the
repression of Stroessner during our time period, but it is not
known how or if this affected the directorate, which was probably
operating from exile.
8.06 maintaining
records
10, AC6
The Liberals maintained their
party newspapers, "El Enano" and "Tribuna Liberal," during our
time period. They also continued their tradition of maintaining
membership lists and membership applications.
8.07 pervasiveness of
organization
5, AC8
The Club Alon and the Ateneo
Liberal appear to be two student groups that are associated with
the Liberal Party. They appear to be popular among Liberal youth,
and their relationship even appears to include an exchange of
ideas (about tactics, issues).
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 nationalization of
structure
6, AC5
It appears that the national
organization was hierarchically superior to the local parties.
There is no information relating to a regional level in the
structure, although this may only be a fault of the
material.
9.02 selecting the national
leader
AC1
There is no information on the
selection of the party leader. This may be due to the fact that
the selection process is complicated by the exile of many members,
and many persons are designated as the party leaders in the
literature (rather than one person). This is due to the physical
dispersion of the party.
9.03 selecting parliamentary
candidates
Not applicable.
The Liberal Party does not
compete in national elections for the legislature due to its
illegal status. In fact, the general practice for the Liberals
became boycotting the elections rather than competing in
them.
9.04 allocating funds
AC1
There is no information about the
collection or allocation of funds in the Liberal Party beyond the
fact that membership dues are collected.
9.05 formulating
policy
AC1
There is no information about the
formation of policy in the Liberal Party. I would hesitate to even
infer that it is decentralized due to their exile, because of the
example of the very centralized Febrerista party in exile
.
9.06 controlling
communications
5, AC3
It appears that the Liberal
national organization controls its own media, El Enano and Tribuna
Liberal. There is no information about the Liberal media influence
in Paraguay circulation.
9.07 administering
discipline
4, AC3
The most plausible group to
administer discipline in the Liberal Party would be the executive
committee (directorate). This is little more than an inference
based on the fact that the Renovacion was expelled by them in the
early 1960's.
9.08 leadership
concentration
3, AC3
The Liberal Party was
decentralized as far as physical dispersion during our time
period, but it appears that their leadership is based on the
persons in their directorate. This group may have quite a few
persons speaking for them and aiding their decision-making because
of their dispersion.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 legislative
cohesion
Not applicable.
Paraguay was virtually a single
party system during our time period, due to the measures enforced
by Stroessner.
10.02 ideological
factionalism
1, AC5
Ideology does not appear to have
been the motivating factor for the formation of factions in the
Liberal Party. There was a differing of ideology and goals in the
Liberal factions, but they were based more on issues and tactics
than on ideology.
10.03 issue
factionalism
4, AC7
It is generally agreed that the
revolutionary directorate (the Liberal faction of the early
1960's) disagreed with the old guard Liberals on issues, i.e.,
Their role in the political system of Paraguay. The only author
who disagrees on this subject is Nichols who believes that the
factions are formed basically due to leadership competition and a
desire for a bigger share of the spoils.
10.04 leadership
factionalism
4, AC8
Probably the most basic
motivation for creating a faction during our time period was the
competition of groups within the parties. This grows out of the
fact that one of the parties' main functions is patronage. Thus
different groups compete for a larger share of the political
prize.
10.05 strategic or tactical
factionalism
4, AC7
Again, it is generally agreed
that the Liberal faction, the Renovacion, had a conflicting set of
tactics with the traditional party. Nichols does not talk about
this fact, but rather concentrates only on the leadership
competition by generational motive in the Paraguayan
parties.
10.06 party purges
0 for 1st half, AC9
1 for 2nd half, AC5
Between 1951-56 the Liberal Party
had no purges. There is controversy about whether the split
between the Liberal Party and the Renovacion was a split in the
second half of our time period or whether it was a purge. It is
probably a circular problem, with each side claiming that they
were the ones to take action.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 membership
requirements
3, AC6
There was a formal enrollment
procedure including application and acceptance into the party. An
annual contribution is also considered part of the requirements of
membership.
11.02 membership
participation
2, AC3
One would suppose that most of
the members of the party are marginal members in that the party is
illegal and its structure does not appear to necessitate the avid
participation of the Liberal members. Most probably the members
use the party when possible for their economic problems and for
patronage sources.
11.03 material
incentives
4, AC5
In using our definition of
militant, one would classify the members of the Renovacion faction
as militants and the party leaders as militants. There is probably
motivation on the part of these men to join the Liberal Party for
the political prizes that they would receive by gaining power. A
good example of this is the fact that the Renovacion candidate for
the presidency became an ambassador.
11.04 purposive
incentives
0, AC6
As Nichols has pointed out in his
thesis, there does not appear to be much difference between the
parties in Paraguay in terms of ideological principles. Thus,
purposive incentives would not be one of the most important
reasons for the militant to join and stay with his
party.
11.05 doctrinism
1, AC6
There does not appear to be much
use or consultation of the Liberal declaration of
principles.
11.06 personalism
0, AC3
There does not seem to be any
overwhelming personalistic attraction to the leader of a faction,
or to any leader of the Liberal Party (only the aforementioned
leadership competition).