Tiempo vivo: The modernization of Puerto Rico

This project discusses the causes of modernization in Puerto Rico while under the economic and political framework of U.S. colonial policy. The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) achieved modernization through central planning efforts. The PDP was elected into the forefront of local politics and led a populist movement that committed itself to the American developmental notions of progress. The modernization of Puerto Rico (the tiempo vivo) was initiated through the Industrial Incentives Act of 1947, in what became known as "Operation Bootstrap;" a state promoted process of industrialization with incentives and tax breaks to attract U.S. capital. The new industrialization imposed compromises and transformations that challenged every aspect of Puerto Rican life. Nonetheless, the implementation of these industrial programs can be categorized as Puerto Rico's modernization. The success of the industrialization programs catapulted Puerto Rico into international status as a success story. U.S. colonial projects shaped the political, economic, and social development of the island. U.S. colonialism resulted in a new political culture among Puerto Rico's political establishment. The election of representatives and a move toward secular democracy became important principles within the political culture of Puerto Rico. Political and social conflict between the Nationalist Party and the PDP emerged over how the culture in Puerto Rico should be defined and defended. Religion was used as a defense of culture between its Catholic and nationalist supporters, while in other cases, religion was a form of accepting modernization. Finally, to assure modernization would continue, a new political relationship emerged as the Commonwealth, Free-Associated State. The Free-Associated State was developed as a political and economic resolution to end the internal status debates that hindered development and persistently ensued among political parties. The new political status was created as a temporary measure to ensure that U.S. capital investments would continue to support the newly created industrialization programs that fostered modernization.