ABSTRACT
The revolutionary government of Nicaragua inaugurated its consultative representative assembly, the Council of State, on 4 May 1980. The council provided a forum for public discussion of issues, and effective consultation occurred among the interests represented, often producing substantive changes in proposed legislation. The revolutionary government, although zealous to promote its programs without interference, also wished to enhance the capability of the courts and the quality of justice. The restoration of public order and the establishment of a police service constituted a thorny problem for the revolutionary government. Overall, the revolutionary government determinedly sought to reestablish public order and to promote revolutionary goals without reviving the abuses of Somocismo. The revolutionary government's employment, salary, and social service policies sought to improve the standards of living of the poor and to redistribute Nicaraguan goods and services more toward workers.
