Development and perspectives of the autonomy of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua 1987 - 2007

Abstract

This text evaluates the twenty years of the Autonomy process and its future. It is a chapter of the recently published book Etnicidad y Nación. It starts with the immediate antecedents of the Autonomy: the encounter of the two cultures of Nicaragua with the irruption of the first Sandinista government in history. It analyzes the strengths and weakness of the Autonomy Statute (Law 28) and evaluates this process through an analysis of its politico administrative, socioeconomic and cultural results.  It points out to its importance on national unity and the good relations between communities, and the relevance that this process has for Latin America.  Finally, it recognizes that despite the difficulties that this process has experienced, its results are encouraging and its future depends fundamentally in the strengthening of the autonomous institutions.