Making revolution in Nicaragua
Making revolution in Nicaragua
Dec 2013
Saturday 7th
posted by Morning Star in Features
CARLOS FONSECA talks to Liz Light about the many achievements of the Sandinista government since 2007
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Since being returned to power in 2007 the Sandinista government has many achievements - but one which makes Carlos Fonseca, son of Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) founder Comandante Carlos Fonseca, especially proud is the Councils for Citizens Power movement.
These neighbourhood councils are seen as an expression of direct democracy.
"We believe that citizens do not only elect government representatives but also decide on government policies and what their representatives should be doing," he tells me.
"This is a long-term learning process which implies changes to the country's political culture - as always, when working on something so difficult, there will be failings and these errors are taken advantage of by our adversaries to insist that the project is not viable, but that isn't the case."
The right always fear direct democracy - and they have cause to. The impact of the Sandinistas' social programmes in reducing poverty means that Nicaragua is second only to Venezuela in the speed at which it is reducing inequality.
More:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-7151-Making-revolution-in-Nicaragua#.UqLvqp3naM8