ABSTRACT
Backed by a majority of the Nicaraguan people, the revolution at first was indeed a nationalist, pluralist experience: The three goals stated by the government junta in July 1979 were political pluralism, nonalignment, and a mixed economy. The democratic opposition should bridge their political differences and construct, in word and deed, a clear and coherent democratic alternative for Nicaragua, with the goal of establishing a democratic system respectful of human rights. Most of Latin America would be flexible about full democracy in Nicaragua, forfeiting this if their own peace and security concerns could be addressed; some policymakers in the United States share this position. The key question is how to prevent the implementation of the totaliarian project without resorting to extreme measures that would produce disarray among the democratic actors, especially between Latin America and the United States.
