Abstract

Dominican Republic: Burden of the Past

This article discusses the effect of civil war of 1965 that took place in Dominican Republic on its present socio-political conditions. Although, President Joaquín Balaguer is back in power after a military coup, his victorious Reform Party shares legislative responsibility with Bosch's Partido Revolucionario Democratico (PRD). However, the mere existence of a legally elected President and a loyal opposition does not solve the problems of the Dominican Republic. The roots of its dark and tragic past still live and threaten to strangle what is as yet only a promise of social, economic and political progress. One of the biggest threats is the army, heavily influenced by a clique of ruthless, corrupt officers who long for "the good old days."