Liberalism in Honduras
Encyclopedia
Liberalism
in Honduras
, as a form of Latin American liberalism, has old historical roots. Influenced by the French
revolutionaries in the 1790s, the door was opened for ideas of positivism. People turned to liberal
ideas: the idea of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.
In the early years after the region achieved independence from Spain, Honduras was a constituent of the United Provinces of Central America. Frictions between liberals and conservatives undermined the federation. The liberal position was in favour of republicanism, free trade, less government and boven all removal of the political and economic powers of the catholic church
. The Honduran liberal Francisco Morazán
became president of the United Provinces in 1830. Morazán enacted many reforms, including freedom of speech, the press, and religion, equality of people of all classes before the law, and trial by jury. All of this was objected to by the Conservatives. The separation of Church and State, including allowing secular marriage and divorce and an end to government enforced tithing, made much of the clergy an enemy of Morazán and the Liberals. This led to a break-down of this federation.
Independent Honduras came under control of the conservatives. It lasted until 1876 that the liberal Marco Aurelio Soto
assumed the presidency. In the upcoming period liberals dominated the country and encourage foreign investment and economic growth. Soto and his successors were responsible for the reform of the powers of judiciary and church, a professionalization of the armed forces and a modernization of communications and education. In this way they paved the way for Honduras to become a state capable of taking its place in the world. Liberals were president until 1903 with Luis Bográn (1883-1891), Ponciano Leiva Madrid (1891-1893), José Policarpo Bonilla Vásquez (1894-1899) and Terencio Esteban Sierra Romero (1899-1903). After this period liberals ruled the country between 1907 and 1911 (Miguel Rafael Dávila Cuéllar), 1920 and 1924 (Rafael López Gutiérrez
and 1929 and 1933 (Vicente Mejía
).
After that year a period of conservative and/or dictatorial rule starts. Only in 1957 the liberals could regain power with the (democratic) election of Ramón Villeda
to the presidency. He is deposed by a bloody military coup in 1963. This leads to another long period of military rule/ This ended in 1980 and in 1982 Honduras became a presidential democracy again with the election of the liberal Roberto Suazo
as president. Liberals were also elected president in 1985 (José Azcona
), 1993 (Carlos Roberto Reina
) and 1998 (Carlos Roberto Flores
).
In contrast to most other liberals in Latin America, the Honduran liberals remained united in one party, the Liberal Party of Honduras
(Partido Liberal de Honduras). The PLH is member of the Liberal International
and nowadays the traditional center liberal party. It was founded in 1890 and is a party with both conservative and progressive wings. The diversity of the party is reflected by the existence of factions within the party.
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
in Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, as a form of Latin American liberalism, has old historical roots. Influenced by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
revolutionaries in the 1790s, the door was opened for ideas of positivism. People turned to liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
ideas: the idea of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.
In the early years after the region achieved independence from Spain, Honduras was a constituent of the United Provinces of Central America. Frictions between liberals and conservatives undermined the federation. The liberal position was in favour of republicanism, free trade, less government and boven all removal of the political and economic powers of the catholic church
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
. The Honduran liberal Francisco Morazán
Francisco Morazán
General Francisco Morazán was a Honduran general and a politician who ruled several Central American states at different times during the turbulent period from 1827 to 1842. He rose to prominence at the legendary Battle of La Trinidad on November 11, 1827...
became president of the United Provinces in 1830. Morazán enacted many reforms, including freedom of speech, the press, and religion, equality of people of all classes before the law, and trial by jury. All of this was objected to by the Conservatives. The separation of Church and State, including allowing secular marriage and divorce and an end to government enforced tithing, made much of the clergy an enemy of Morazán and the Liberals. This led to a break-down of this federation.
Independent Honduras came under control of the conservatives. It lasted until 1876 that the liberal Marco Aurelio Soto
Marco Aurelio Soto
Marco Aurelio Soto was President of Honduras from 27 August 1876 until 19 October 1883. he was known as a liberal. He was a reforming President and had a great impact on the Honduras of his time, including the establishment of the Biblioteca Nacional de Honduras in 1880.-Biography:Dr. Marco...
assumed the presidency. In the upcoming period liberals dominated the country and encourage foreign investment and economic growth. Soto and his successors were responsible for the reform of the powers of judiciary and church, a professionalization of the armed forces and a modernization of communications and education. In this way they paved the way for Honduras to become a state capable of taking its place in the world. Liberals were president until 1903 with Luis Bográn (1883-1891), Ponciano Leiva Madrid (1891-1893), José Policarpo Bonilla Vásquez (1894-1899) and Terencio Esteban Sierra Romero (1899-1903). After this period liberals ruled the country between 1907 and 1911 (Miguel Rafael Dávila Cuéllar), 1920 and 1924 (Rafael López Gutiérrez
Rafael López Gutiérrez
General Rafael López Gutiérrez was President of Honduras between 1 February 1920 and 10 March 1924. A former general in the Honduran Army, Gutierrez attempted to extend his term in office past its designated end, and was forced from office...
and 1929 and 1933 (Vicente Mejía
Vicente Mejía Colindres
Vicente Mejía Colindres was President of Honduras between 16 September and 5 October 1919; and again between 1 February 1929 and 1 February 1933. A successful beginning to his presidency was dampened by the effects of the 1929 economic depression...
).
After that year a period of conservative and/or dictatorial rule starts. Only in 1957 the liberals could regain power with the (democratic) election of Ramón Villeda
Ramon Villeda Morales
Dr. Ramón Villeda Morales served as President of Honduras from 1957 to 1963. Trained as a physician, Villeda Morales was a liberal who supported the democratization of Honduras after a long period of military rule...
to the presidency. He is deposed by a bloody military coup in 1963. This leads to another long period of military rule/ This ended in 1980 and in 1982 Honduras became a presidential democracy again with the election of the liberal Roberto Suazo
Roberto Suazo Córdova
Roberto Suazo Córdova is a former President of Honduras.-Biography:In 1949, he graduated as a doctor from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. After his graduation, Suazo practiced his profession in the general hospital of Guatemala City...
as president. Liberals were also elected president in 1985 (José Azcona
José Azcona del Hoyo
José Simón Azcona del Hoyo was President of Honduras from 27 January 1986 to 27 January 1990 for the Liberal Party of Honduras . He was born in La Ceiba in Honduras.-Career:...
), 1993 (Carlos Roberto Reina
Carlos Roberto Reina
Carlos Roberto Reina Idiáquez was a politician of the Liberal Party of Honduras, and President of Honduras from January 27, 1994 to January 27, 1998....
) and 1998 (Carlos Roberto Flores
Carlos Roberto Flores
Carlos Roberto Flores Facussé was President of Honduras from 27 January 1998 to 27 January 2002 and President of the National Congress from 25 January 1994 to 25 January 1998.- Biography :...
).
In contrast to most other liberals in Latin America, the Honduran liberals remained united in one party, the Liberal Party of Honduras
Liberal Party of Honduras
The Liberal Party of Honduras is a centre-left liberal political party in Honduras that was founded in 1891. The party is a member of the Liberal International...
(Partido Liberal de Honduras). The PLH is member of the Liberal International
Liberal International
Liberal International is a political international federation for liberal parties. Its headquarters is located at 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD within the National Liberal Club. It was founded in Oxford in 1947, and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties and for the...
and nowadays the traditional center liberal party. It was founded in 1890 and is a party with both conservative and progressive wings. The diversity of the party is reflected by the existence of factions within the party.
See also
- History of HondurasHistory of HondurasHonduras was already occupied by many indigenous peoples when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. The western-central part of Honduras was inhabited by the Lencas, the central north coast by the Tol, the area east of Trujillo by the Pech and the Miskito and Sumo...
- Politics of HondurasPolitics of HondurasPolitics of Honduras takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Honduras is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the...