ABSTRACT
Analysing the case of Honduras, Gustavo Zelaya Herrera shows the impact of liberal and Enlightenment ideas in the worldview of historical figures in that country. Eventually split between conservative and liberal, the differences among these figures are not so much due to ideological matters but to the way those ideas were translated into public policy. Later on, they added positivist principles as another utilitarian element to their political theory and practice. This fusion of Enlightenment, liberalism, and positivism was predominant during the nineteenth century. Starting the following century, steps towards the creation of the first Honduran political parties, the Liberal and the National parties were taken. Since 1980, both organisations seem to embrace neoliberalism. In practice, however, they steer away from this ideological syndrome; because when they are in power the state, construction, services and procurement contracts, tax exemptions, etc. become a bounty for economic and political clienteles.
