ABSTRACT
The government of revolutionary Nicaragua must be studied both from the perspective of formal structures and from that of the political role of the new system's most powerful political group, the Sandinista National Liberation Front. The Governing Junta of National Reconstruction was the chief executive council of Nicaragua, a collegial presidency that included major leaders from the broader rebel movement. The revolutionary government of Nicaragua inaugurated its consultative representative assembly, the Council of State, on 4 May 1980. 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 Sandinista unions hewed closely to government guidelines on moderate wage demands and emphasized increased production, gains in social benefits, and better working conditions. Governments at war tend to be highly suspicious of their domestic critics, and modern revolutionary movements have rarely tolerated any open opposition—much less institutionalized it.
