Publication

This study examines under what conditions dominant hegemonic-party systems fall and lose their power-grip on presidential elections. Accordingly, it analyzes the conditions that led to the demise of hegemonic-rule in Paraguay by focusing on elite divisions and fragmentation within the dominant party. The author argues that throughout the stages of democratic transition, dissent between intra-party elites and rupture was critical in making future organizing efforts to close impossible and allowing the first alternation in executive power by another party in 2008.