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Democratic Party of Guinea, 821
Variables and Codes for 1950-1962
5-- Issue Orientation Variables
5.01

Ownership of Means of Production

5.09

Supranational Integration

5.02

Government Role in Economic Planning

5.10

National Integration

5.03

Redistribution of Wealth

5.11

Electoral Participation

5.04

Social Welfare

5.12

Protection of Civil Rights

5.05

Secularization of Society

5.13

Interference with Civil Liberties

5.06

Support of the Military

5.14

State Department Left-Right Rating

5.07

Alignment with East/West Blocs

5.15

Soviet Expert Left-Right Rating

5.08

Anticolonialism


5.01 ownership of means of production
4 for 1950-62, AC7
Sufficient data to support a pro-strong program and pro- moderate practice code of 4 and a medium to high adequacy confidence. Though pro-strong in program, the PDG permitted and even tried to attract foreign firms, although they were to be strictly controlled.
5.02 government role in economic planning
5 for 1950-62, AC9.
Information is for the second time period, but since there is no indication of change, the code is inferred for the first time period. Through the use of the "triennial plan" (resembling the standard five year plan), government control of various education programs and government edicts which called for the placing of one - half of the assets of foreign investors in Guinean banks, the national government played a large role in economic planning.
5.03 redistribution of wealth
4 for 1957-62, AC9.
The PDG advocated and instituted a program of collectivization in agriculture as a means of redistributing the wealth. However, this program has not been carried out in full. The literature also alludes to the fact that there were still great disparities in the distribution of wealth.
5.04 social welfare
4 for 1957-62, AC5.
There are indications of PDG concern for social welfare along with some programmatic implementation. However, the documentation is not extensive. The JRDA (youth wing of the PDG) is employed in these social welfare programs.
5.05 secularization of society
4 for 1950-62, AC7
There are some statements indicating government antagonism towards church controlled schools. Yet, it appeared that the PDG was antagonistic towards the church on more points than education alone. The PDG believed that the church was an institution which may have harbored counter- nationalistic tendencies, something which the strongly nationalistic PDG would not tolerate.
5.06 support of the military
AC1 for the 1st half
2 for the 2nd half, AC8
There is little mention of direct monetary allocation to the armed forces. However, the PDG was in strict control of the military and used it to further the nationalistic goals of the party. There was no discrimination against the military and there was substantial allocation for military academies.
5.07 alignment with east-west blocs
1 for 1950-62, AC6
The variable code is based on a tendency towards voting with the eastern bloc in the United Nations by the Guinean delegate. However, there was an articulated Guinean policy of official neutrality which precludes any supposition of "alignment" with the eastern bloc during this time period. Guinea tended to strike up economic relations with both sides during this period.
5.08 anti-colonialism
5 for 1950-62, AC9
Pro-strong in both practice and program. This variable code is based almost exclusively on the attitude taken by the PDG towards the 1958 referendum on independence which was offered by de Gaulle. After Guinea opted for independence, the PRG and Sekou Toure continued the policy of eliminating colonial control in Guinea under the "decolonization" program.
5.09 supranational integration
5 for 1950-62, AC9
The information was found only for the second time period, but there is no indication of any change in attitude during the earlier period. The PDG and Sekou Toure continually advocated a pan-African movement and Guinea was considered as a member of the pan-African Casablanca group. The feud between the PDG and the Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast, a more conservative and less pan-African oriented party, underlined the strong supra- national integration sentiment in the PDG.
5.10 national integration
5 for 1950-62, AC9
The PDG strongly advocated a policy of national integration and an end to local ethnicity and regionalism. It desired a "psychological reconversion" to nationalism. Through a powerful educational program and the abolition of the power of the chiefs, the PDG sought to foster a deep sense of national awareness among the citizens.
5.11 electoral participation
5 for 1st half, AC9-
3 for 2nd half, AC9
Specific statements in the constitution state that there was universal suffrage. Toure continually stated that there should be no discrimination against women in regard to suffrage, or anything else. However, Guinea became a one party state without electoral competition.
5.12 protection of civil rights
2 for 1950-62, AC5
There are statements in the PDG program against discrimination but since there is no indication of attempts to enforce this position, the situation best fits the pro-moderate in program. There is some indication that the PDG discriminated against intellectuals and chiefs, and therefore the PDG has been scored con-weak in practice.
5.13 interference with civil liberties
1 for 1950-62, AC4
The pro-weak position was accepted because of the following statement in the literature--individual liberty is placed within the framework of its practical utility to society.
5.14 / 5.15 US--Soviet experts left-right ratings
U.S. Says 3, non-communist left.
Soviets say 3, a fusion of leftist- nationalist organizations, representatives of workers, peasants, servants, and intelligentsia. It is progressive and works for socio-economic reforms, promoting democratic bases in the reconstruction of government and non- capitalistic development.