The Guatemalan National Revolutionary unit: the long collapse. Issue 6 (18th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allison, Michael E.
• Is Part Of: Democratization. Volume 23:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 1042
• Page End: 1058
• Publication Date: 2016-09-18
• Subjects: Guatemala -- civil war -- rebels -- armed parties -- political parties; Democracy -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1990- -- Periodicals; Democratization -- Periodicals; 321.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13510347.2016.1159557
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0347

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unit (URNG) fought one of the longest and bloodiest civil wars in recent Latin American history. In 1996, the URNG and the Government of Guatemala signed a Firm and Lasting Agreement ending the country's civil war and initiating the URNG's post-war life as a political party. After finishing third in its initial electoral competition, the URNG has since been unable to capture more than 4% of the vote, on its own or in coalition, leaving it a minor political party. What explains the poor electoral performance of the URNG as a political party? Based upon fieldwork, elite interviews, and analysis of electoral data, I argue that the URNG's minor party performance was caused by both organizational and institutional factors.