Sharon Phillipps Collazos - Labor and Politics in Panama: The Torrijos Years

The Torrijos Years

Sharon Phillipps Collazos

First published 1991 by Westview Press, Inc.

Published 2018 by Routledge
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Phillipps Collazos, Sharon.
Labor and politics in Panama: the Torrijos years / by
Sharon Phillipps Collazos.
p. cm.(Westview special studies on Latin America and the
Caribbean)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8133-8115-0
1. Labor policyPanamaHistory20th century. 2. Labor laws and
legislationPanamaHistory20th century. 3. PanamaPolitics and
government19461981. 4. PanamaPolitics and government1981
5. PanamaEconomic conditions. I. Title. II. Series.
HD8173.5.P47 1991
331.12'042'097287dc20 90-21689
CIP

ISBN 13: 978-0-367-01599-2 (hbk)

The story of the making and reversal of labor policy in Panama during the 1970s could not have been told without discussing the many different perspectives of those involved in this historical process. The persons I interviewed all provided invaluable information and deserve a special acknowledgment. They are listed in the appendix. There are many others not mentioned who in some way or another helped in the reconstruction of the period by providing details or insights, adding color to the picture. The missing view is that of the principal protagonist. Omar Torrijos died in a plane crash a few days before I was to interview him, so his side of the story has to be left untold.

An important insight afforded by this study is that of the fragility of Panamanian societal institutions, be they economic, political, or civic. The country's social structures are incipient or atrophied. The level of consciousness of Panamanian society regarding rights and duties is low. The research was also enlightening because it provided a glimpse of how Panamanian society really functions. When I was growing up, it was always puzzling to hear categorical explanations about why and how things happened in the country, always from the point of view of those I have called the "private sector" in these pages. Looking at Panamanian society at a time when that sector was not in control provided a rare opportunity to map the strategies of businessmen as they wove their way in and out of different positions. During an interview with a well-known member of the sector, he acknowledged that what hurt him the most about the Torrijos years was that Torrijos "had robbed him of his right" to a prominent political position. I asked what he would do with that position but was rebuffed and told that that was beside the point.

This study was carried out with a grant from the Social Science Research Council, for which I am very grateful. I owe special thanks to Peter Evans, Robert Fiala, Karen Remmer, and Nelson Valds, for their helpful comments and patience, and especially to Gilbert Merkx, who has always been there with encouragement and support. Several economists were kind enough to discuss different issues with me or to read parts of the manuscript and offer helpful suggestions. I wish to thank Peter Gregory from the University of New Mexico, Albert Berry from the University of Toronto, and Adalberto Garcia from El Colegio de Mexico. I have also had the helpful comments and insights of Miguel Antonio Bernal, Carlos Castro, Marco Gandsegui, Arturo Hoyos, Richard Koster, and Gerardo Maloney. Perhaps most supportive over the years has been Steve Ropp, who was always willing to discuss an issue, to share information, or to provide another angle. Finally, Sam Adamo was a faithful and encouraging friend who shared many insights into methodological questions while we both concluded our studies. The interpretation of the facts and any errors are entirely my responsibility.

The manuscript has been greatly improved through the expert editing of Peg Sutton and Diane Hess, and it owes its present form to the help and patience of Victor Bandeira de Mello, Mark Lawrence, and Neil Ribeiro da Silva. Barbara Ellington and Diana Luykx from Westview Press have also been very helpful and supportive. To all, I offer my most heartfelt gratitude.

Finally, I owe much to my friends and family, who were there to offer comfort and encouragement during the difficult hours of writing and rewriting. But my greatest debt is to my children for their patience and tolerance during the endless times when working on the manuscript came before doing something "normal or fun." To them, then, Marc, Daniel, and Andrs, I dedicate this study.

Sharon Phillipps Collazos