ABSTRACT
Politics and political parties in Paraguay are based on patron-client relationships that give rise to caudillismo and political factionalism. The political system has its roots in the aftermath of the Triple Alliance War, a time when Paraguayans faced defeat, foreign economic domination, and economic insecurity. Social distinctions between racially homogenized Paraguayans have always been less important than in other Latin American countries, and politics has never been class-based. Factionalism arises because individuals owe their loyalty to particular leaders, not to a party or an ideology in general. As a consequence, political parties lack cohesion: real politics is found in factional maneuvering. Launched in 1960, the Christian Democratic movement proclaimed itself a political party in 1965. Although it maintains close ties with the church, it is not a church-sponsored party and has a minuscule political following. Its goals include democratization, agrarian reform, and ending government control of the universities and labor unions.
