This Article Will Discuss some of the implications of Mexico's indebtedness, particularly those which derive from the connection between the foreign debt and the rapidly growing domestic debt. The debt of developing countries is one of the great barriers to the recovery of the world economy: it cancels markets which would otherwise be open to the exports of industrialized countries, and it relegates a very large portion of the world to a situation of low growth or stagnation. Without doubt, Latin America is the region worst hit by the world debt, a continent which, only two decades ago, offered one of the most promising areas for expansion: it had a relatively advanced industry and urban sector, with political democracy and a large middle class. All this seemed to fall apart after the debt crisis of the 1980s, but the problems which led to this crisis began back in the late 1960s, when democratic governments began to be supplanted by military ones.

The Problem of how to cope with revolutions in Latin America has been, and in all likelihood will remain, a pressing concern for US policymakers. In recent times, the United States has not been very effective in its relations with post-revolutionary regimes. This paper will look at the Nicaraguan case and the ways in which US policy towards that country since the overthrow of Somoza, in July 1979, suggests a misreading of the process of revolution in general. Such misreading might impede our ability to deal effectively with future revolutions in the region.

Whether One Agrees or disagrees with the objectives of a revolution, the experience stimulates emotions from those who participate and those who observe. There have been many experiences which most would regard as revolutionary: the French revolution, the revolution for independence of the United States, the Mexican revolution, the Russian revolution, the Chinese revolution, as well as perhaps those of Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Visions of people rising up against an outworn, impotent, or despotic government accompany our concept of revolution, as do visions of militia soldiers with rifles on their backs and ammunition strapped across their chests.