Political ideology in the DR

[aarhus]

We just had the election with the PRM winning after the PLD being in power for 16 years. What do the two main parties really stand for in terms of policies and ideology. And what about Leonel Fernandez who was a fairly strong third party candidate. Is there a left and right in Dominican politics. I have heard mentioned the grandson of Trujillo representing a far right movement. And is there such a far left movement aligning themselves with international socialism. What are your thoughts ?

I wanted to see if this was something interesting for the community to discuss. I myself would be interested in knowing more. Also what type of system does the DR really have. Is it fully capitalism but with some social programs like tarjeta de solidaridad and salud publica and how does that really work. I definitely think private property is protected but how safe is it for investors/entrepreneurs in business. The tax system and payroll system I had a hard time maneuvering and I felt it gave me a disadvantage as a foreigner as local companies simply know the system better and to much time can be lost.

 

[drstock]

More socialist agenda rabble rousing

John Boyter started a perfectly sensible thread on a perfectly sensible subject which I find interesting. In post No. 2 you bring the whole thing down to your level.

 

[Auryn]

I’d also be interested in learning more about the political system in the DR. I would hope that mature, respectful adults can discuss the topic without polarizing accusations from either side.

 

[beeza]

It is a great question and certainly worthy of debate and not snide sarcastic comments.

The DR is adjusting to its new government that has been fairly and democratically elected. The people have spoken that they were tired of the previous ruling PLD. It seems that the main agenda that motivated the younger educated and middle class electorate to get rid of them, was corruption.

I think that the PRD is more left leaning than the PLD. Maybe we will see more focus on social issues like education and healthcare. At least that was one of Abinader's manifestos.

 

[NanSanPedro]

What about corruption? 600 people on the queen's staff? That's absurd.

 

[aarhus]

Political System in the DR may have been a better title. Corruption is a big issue. And nepotism. Lack of rule of law to in business.

 

[Andre14615]

Learn from me. Put the troll on ignore. It works falwessly and then you can enjoy adult conversations without the attention seeker.

 

[NanSanPedro]

John, the minute you mentioned Scandinavia you ruined it. USA people think whole EU is Cuba light. Well they’re wrong.

Not Cuba light, because Cuba is a dictatorship. But we need to keep this DR only.

One of the posters above mentioned that Luis is viewed as more liberal than Medina. I'm a very conservative American but I am very happy for Luis' election. I hope he can reverse the theft of his people's money that Medina and cronies did in 20 years. I think that is way more important than ideology.

 

[cavok]

So, getting back to the OT, is there any difference in ideologies between the parties, or is it just a matter of which is the least corrupt?

 

[Caonabo]

We just had the election with the PRM winning after the PLD being in power for 16 years. What do the two main parties really stand for in terms of policies and ideology. And what about Leonel Fernandez who was a fairly strong third party candidate. Is there a left and right in Dominican politics. I have heard mentioned the grandson of Trujillo representing a far right movement. And is there such a far left movement aligning themselves with international socialism. What are your thoughts ?

I wanted to see if this was something interesting for the community to discuss. I myself would be interested in knowing more. Also what type of system does the DR really have. Is it fully capitalism but with some social programs like tarjeta de solidaridad and salud publica and how does that really work. I definitely think private property is protected but how safe is it for investors/entrepreneurs in business. The tax system and payroll system I had a hard time maneuvering and I felt it gave me a disadvantage as a foreigner as local companies simply know the system better and to much time can be lost.

Are you a millennial intern for a foreign government agency?
I ask, because some of these questions above seem quite trivial for a foreign national who previously claimed to have operated his own business within this country.
Would you not have known, nor understood how the RD operates before having experience, and setting up a business here?

 

[melphis]

John Boyter started a perfectly sensible thread on a perfectly sensible subject which I find interesting. In post No. 2 you bring the whole thing down to your level.

DRStock just put the idiot on ignore like most people have. He was a troll in off topic and I don't think he can help himself.

Back to what John B originally asked, I recall Leonel was trying to change the constitution to stay in power longer but was denied. I personally think the DR was due for a change. After 16 years corruption was getting out of control and the PLD in my opinion was just a self serving group of pigs at the trough.

I hope the new guys do better and I'm sure they will for the first few years but as most politicians they become stagnant after a few years.

 

[aarhus]

Not Cuba light, because Cuba is a dictatorship. But we need to keep this DR only.

One of the posters above mentioned that Luis is viewed as more liberal than Medina. I'm a very conservative American but I am very happy for Luis' election. I hope he can reverse the theft of his people's money that Medina and cronies did in 20 years. I think that is way more important than ideology.

I don’t know if PRM leans more left or are more liberal than PLD. Maybe there is just a lot of pressure to get more done on health and education. I thought for a long time PLD was doing a lot with education but I don’t know much about the educational system especially not before university. I have had some young people working with me when I had my office and some where very talented from UASD and Unibe. Now my partner has continued our business as a broker working remotely and we have a couple of recent graduates helping as freelancers who had done internship with us from USAD and Itla and they are very good to. My impression is the educational system is not the biggest problem. More so the health care system.

 

[Caonabo]

It is a great question and certainly worthy of debate and not snide sarcastic comments.

The DR is adjusting to its new government that has been fairly and democratically elected. The people have spoken that they were tired of the previous ruling PLD. It seems that the main agenda that motivated the younger educated and middle class electorate to get rid of them, was corruption.

I think that the PRD is more left leaning than the PLD. Maybe we will see more focus on social issues like education and healthcare. At least that was one of Abinader's manifestos.

You obviously do not possess much information regarding the RD as a whole.
Do you reside here? If not, understood. If so, no excuses.
The RD "is adjusting to its new government that has been fairly and democratically elected."?????????????????????
CAN YOU PLEASE POINT OUT THE LAST TIME THIS WAS NOT THE CASE?
Yes, many were tired of the PLD, but they did win the previous elections. To the victors, go the spoils.
Many of you are seeking this left/right, right/left political pendulum as exists in your home nations, but sorry to inform you, this is not home, nor how it works here. This is the RD. I do not mean to be crass, but many of you, some even long term residents have not a clue as to where you reside, how it runs, or what makes it tick......but yet, choose to call it "home".
Again.....if you are new, or truly do not understand, this is acceptable. But for persons who have spent years here, or perhaps decades, and do not even understand how governors of provinces are placed in office....you are in need of some help.
*Answer*....governors here in RD are not elected by the people. They are handpicked, and appointed by the President to oversee his agenda within each province.

 

[Caonabo]

Not Cuba light, because Cuba is a dictatorship. But we need to keep this DR only.

One of the posters above mentioned that Luis is viewed as more liberal than Medina. I'm a very conservative American but I am very happy for Luis' election. I hope he can reverse the theft of his people's money that Medina and cronies did in 20 years. I think that is way more important than ideology.

Do not let Margarita and her wife Leonel off the hook that quick. They much resemble another famous political couple who had business entities within Haiti.

 

[AlterEgo]

Thread has been cleaned up, why is it so impossible for many of you to stay on topic and answer a simple question like the OP?

Some of you are on very thin ice.

Proceed with caution. 👀

 

[Joseph NY2STI]

As a short term resident and regular visitor, I'd also be curious to hear from westerners who actually live in the D.R. AND engage in the culture and society. Do Dominicans have a sense of conservative/liberal ideologies such as the U.S. and much of Europe? O.P. mentioned Ramfis being viewed as far right. Do Dominicans view him as extreme? Is there such a thing in the D.R.? If so, what would a far left candidate embrace? I've asked several Dominican friends about this, but they've never lived in the states and so don't have that context.

 

[Caonabo]

I believe the problem stems with the framing of the original posting.
If from a new member, or fairly recent arrival to the RD (not just this web forum) this would be a more than acceptable question, and point of discussion. RD politics are a huge talking point in every day life, here and abroad.
But when you have a member of the community who claims to have resided here for years, has run his own business within the nation, and claims to not have a clue as to how politics operate within?
It all sounds a bit disingenuous to Dominicans, foreigners with residency, and I would have to believe members of this very web forum.
I could be wrong. It wouldn't be the first, nor last time.

 

[Caonabo]

As a short term resident and regular visitor, I'd also be curious to hear from westerners who actually live in the D.R. AND engage in the culture and society. Do Dominicans have a sense of conservative/liberal ideologies such as the U.S. and much of Europe? O.P. mentioned Ramfis being viewed as far right. Do Dominicans view him as extreme? Is there such a thing in the D.R.? If so, what would a far left candidate embrace? I've asked several Dominican friends about this, but they've never lived in the states and so don't have that context.

As previously mentioned above, Dominican politics is VERY different than what most of you are accustomed to.
Many of you are seeking this left/right, right/left political pendulum as exists in your home nations, but it is just not the same, nor that simple here.

 

[bob saunders]

Both main parties have socialist beginnings but when governing become Kleptocracies. We can only hope this version will be different.

 

[cavok]

It seems to me that which party you vote for here is much like which sports team you root for - no ideology, principals, or reason needed.