Reinterpreting the Banana Republic: Region and State in Honduras, 1870-1972 [Library Binding]

Dario A. Euraque (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1997

In this new analysis of Honduran social and political development, Darío Euraque explains why Honduras escaped the pattern of revolution and civil wars suffered by its neighbors Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Within this comparative framework, he challenges the traditional Banana Republic 'theory' and its assumption that multinational corporations completely controlled state formation in Central America. Instead, he demonstrates how local society in Honduras's North Coast banana-exporting region influenced national political development.

According to Euraque, the reformism of the 1970s, which prevented social and political polarization in the 1980s, originated in the local politics of San Pedro Sula and other cities along the North Coast. Moreover, Euraque shows that by the 1960s, the banana-growing areas had become bastions of liberalism, led by local capitalists and organized workers. This regional political culture directly influenced events at the national level, argues Euraque. Specifically, the military coup of 1972 drew its ideology and civilian leaders from the North Coast, and as a result, the new regime was able to successfully channel popular unrest into state-sponsored reform projects. Based on long-ignored sources in Honduran and American archives and on interviews, the book signals a major reinterpretation of modern Honduran history.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A new interpretation of modern Honduran history.

American Historical Review

[Shows] that the Caribbean coast, typically considered an enclave, had direct and influential ties to the rest of the country.

Latin American Research Review

A meaningful contribution to the literature on Honduras.

Choice

Euraque defeats on its own turf the Banana Republic thesis, which has been so prominent in Honduran historiography.

Robert G. Williams, author of States and Social Evolution --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 270 pages
• Publisher: University of North Carolina Press (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807822981
• ISBN-13: 978-0807822982
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,707,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!, March 1, 2008

By 

G. Banegas "gbanegas" (Honduras) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reinterpreting the Banana Republic: Region and State in Honduras, 1870-1972 (Paperback)

They sent a great book, perfect condition and great delivery timing!
Thanks a bunch!!