Abstract

LOPEZ PACHECO, JAIRO ANTONIO  and  CORREA RAMIREZ, JOHN JAIME. Disputes over Political Centralization/Decentralization in the Viejo Caldas, 1905-1966: The Cases of Manizales and Pereira. Anu. colomb. hist. soc. cult. [online]. 2012, vol.39, n.2, pp.187-216. ISSN 0120-2456.

The article analyzes the disputes among the elites of the cities of Manizales and Pereira over regional political power in the former Department of Caldas, created in 1905, which led to its division in 1966 and the subsequent creation of the Department of Risaralda. The paper traces the discussions regarding administrative centralization or decentralization, across three moments: first, the administrative reform of Rafael Reyes, which created the Department of Caldas; second, the period of the coffee economy boom and the increasing demands for an improved fiscal distribution; and, finally, the 1960s, which allowed for a continuous mobilization of the elites and culminated with the division of the department.  The article concludes that the disputes over decentralization/centralization reveal a historical process of division of regional power marked by two opposing conceptions of local projection and interests.

Keywords : Viejo Caldas; Pereira; Manizales; civic spirit; decentralization.

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