All of these political and economic developments put Paraguay on the path of independent nationhood, yet the country's undoubted progress during the years of the Franciata takes place because of complete popular abdication to Francia's will.

El Supremo personally controls every aspect of Paraguayan public life.

No decision at the state level, no matter how small, can be made without his approval.

All of Paraguay's accomplishments during this period, including its existence as a nation, are attributable almost entirely to Francia.

The common people see these accomplishments as Francia's gifts, but along with these gifts come political passivity and naïveté among most Paraguayans.