El gobierno revolucionario nacionalista ecuatoriano del General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara (1972 -1976): liderazgo, transformaciones y claves sobre el sistema político ecuatoriano

Abstract

General Guillermo Rodríguez Lara’s coup in 15 february, 1972, interrumped the civil dictatorship by José María Velasco Ibarra. This political intervention, made on behalf of Ecuador’s Armed Forces, signaled an end to the country’s turmoil originated on civil governments that underestimated the people’s social realities. This institutional coup began with high expectations because of high international oil prices, which provided the context for the revolutionary – nationalistic government that would adopt a developmentalist path. This meant the State’s intervention on the economy was the strengthened which meant a 10% growth, as well as an increase on agricultural exports, thousands of kilometers of roads, building popular housing projects, relevant improvements on education and other basic services. Given that institutions cannot be separated from an individual’s life, the moment Rodriguez Lara’s accedes to power due to his position in the institution, but his leadership is built because of his role as well as because of his personal capabilities. This article provides a preliminary evaluation on trajectory guidelines for national institutions, and further analysis is needed for it will allow an understanding of several contemporary debates in the country.