ABSTRACT
The original expansion and growth of the Honduran state occurred after 1876 during the era of Liberal reforms. This was also a period when officials encouraged foreign investment and initiated wider international economic contacts. Although Honduran constitutional theory subscribes to the principle of separation of powers, the executive dominates the legislative and judicial aspects of the polity. Revenues had increased with Honduras's rise to prominence as a leading world producer of bananas, a crop that accounted for up to 80 percent of the nation's export earnings. Electoral procedures and results for much of Honduran history generally have not been observed with care or respect. Elections in Honduras have been held every four or six years at the national level, with interim periods for municipal elections. The 1980 and 1981 elections demonstrated the willingness of Hondurans to participate in constitutional political processes.
