The Politics of Durability (1987–1997)

The chapter argues that this was a period in which the authoritarian nature of the state was developed and expanded, rather than one of "democratization" or liberalization (as it is often described). It begins by examining how economic challenges led strategies and rhetorics of "nation-building" to become more extreme and exclusive between 1987 and 1997. It then assesses how society responded to these changes. Focusing on the press, elections, opposition parties, unions, churches, students and NGOs, the chapter explores tentative moves to build political coalitions, against a backdrop of political scandals and crises. The chapter focuses on how state institutions generated new legislative control – elections and the judiciary are explored in some detail, alongside the security apparatus and militarization of existing bodies. The final section of the chapter explores how apparent "liberalization" was used as a strategy of divide and rule to weaken and fragment societal groups such as trade unions, academics, students and NGOs.