 Arévalo identified his ideology as " spiritual socialism . " He held the belief that the only way to alleviate the backwardness of most Guatemalans was through a paternalistic government . He was strongly opposed to classical Marxism , and believed in a capitalist society that was regulated to ensure that its benefits went to the entire population . Arévalo 's ideology was reflected in the new constitution that the Guatemalan assembly ratified soon after his inauguration , which was one of the most progressive in Latin America . It mandated suffrage for all but illiterate women , a decentralization of power , and provisions for a multiparty system . Communist parties were , however , forbidden . The constitution and Arévalo 's socialist ideology became the basis for much of the reform enacted under Arévalo and ( later ) Jacobo Árbenz . Although the US government would later portray the ideology of the revolution as radical communist , it did not in fact represent a major shift leftward , and was staunchly anti @-@ communist . Arévalo 's economic vision for the country was centered around private enterprise . 
