THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF URUGUAY

• Published in: Revista mexicana de sociología 1966-01, Vol.28 (1), p.113-138 (SP)
• Main Author: Solari, Aldo E
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Development/Developments; Political/Politically/ Politicalization (see also Politics); Uruguay/Uruguayan/ Uruguayans
• ISSN: 0188-2503

An historical sketch of the pol'al development of Uruguay, as it affected soc & econ development. Throughout the 19th cent, & until 1904, pol'al issues were usually decided by civil wars. Possibilities of a controlled soc & econ development were slight, although some attempts were made, eg by the Latorre gov in the 1870's. In 1904, the Colorado (Red) party came into power with Jose Battle y Ordonez & inaugurated an era of soc exp'tion which converted the country into a welfare state. It then embarked on an experiment of shared gov with the opposition Blanco (White, later Nacional-Nat'l) Party, which has lasted until today. This resulted in the creation of an unusually strong pol'al combination, which controls over 90% of the vote & dominates econ interests, as shown in the closing down of the foreign exchange market by the gov in 1965. This combination was maintained for a considerable time against the pressures of econ interests. It is concluded that this pol'al system has given the country pol'al & soc stability & diminished soc tensions. But 'it is absolutely inadequate to the tasks of planned development' & will have to be adapted to the country's present econ needs. I. Langnas 5 The opinion that the results of a lower fecundity are favorable from an econ point of view, since more producers are in charge of less pure consumers, is questioned according to the following objections: (1) Is the charge of a child now heavier than it was previously? In point of fact the increase of such a charge is either independent of the lowering of fecundity-& in this case it would constitute an argument for the lowering of fecundityor it depends on such lowering & is to be considered as a favorable result. (2) Is the charge of an old man heavier than previously? No sufficiently accurate figures are available to control this fact, but even if an old man costs twice as much as a child to maintain, the increase in the % of older M charges does not eliminate the benefit resulting from the decrease of the % of children. (3) The aging of the pop causes the aging of the adult group. This argument is upheld, since econ growth requires the support of a young demographic structure. Although econ advantages should be ascribed to an increasing, & hence a young pop, it is premature to conclude that a pop increase should be promoted. The advantages ascribed to such an increase could perhaps be obtained by other than demographic means & notwithstanding demographic evolution. Modified