Washington, Somoza and the Sandinistas
Stage and Regime in US Policy toward Nicaragua 1969–1981

This study of U.S. policy toward Nicaragua during the Nixon, Ford, and Carter presidencies reveals the fundamental importance Washington placed on preserving state institutions in Latin America while adopting a much more flexible approach regarding support for elected regimes or dictatorial rulers. The Carter White House decision to dump a longstanding ally, Somoza, and support a regime change was triggered by the appearance of a mass-based social movement led by radical nationalist guerrillas posing a challenge to both the dictatorial regime and, more importantly, the state structure that underpinned it. This book is based on the extensive use of personal interviews and recently declassified U.S. government documents. Among its distinctive features is the emphasis on the pivotal role Washington played in contributing to the long-term survival of the Somoza dictatorship. It is the first detailed study, based on original research, of Nixon and Ford policy toward Nicaragua, and it contains the most detailed discussion of U.S. policy toward Nicaragua during the early period of Sandinista rule.

Reviews & endorsements

"In its discussion of the differences US officials drew between regime and state, it provides a reasonable approach to gaining a clearer understanding of the often roller-coaster relationship between the Somoza dictatorship and the US government....ground-breaking research....an important and thought-provoking contribution to one of the most debated and misunderstood events in recent US-Latin American relations." Canadian Journal of Latin American and Carribean Studies

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Product details

• Date Published: August 2002
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521523356
• length: 356 pages

• dimensions: 229 x 152 x 20 mm
• weight: 0.52kg
• availability: Available