The name of the antagonist in Reasons of State is never mentioned, instead being referred to as “Head of State”, or, simply, “Dictator”, he is the leader of an unnamed Caribbean country. In control of his country for about twenty years when the book begins, he has decided to stay in a wealthy area in Paris. Completely accustomed to a life of luxury, he conveniently ignores the fact that many of the citizens in his country live a life of poverty and unsafety.
During his time in Paris, World War I erupts. He is soon informed that some people in his country have rebelled, creating sharply divided factions, in which some people trust the dictator and others do not. He returns to the country, trying to fix the matter. With extreme military force, slaughtering and jailing those who oppose him, the dictator leaves his country again for Paris.
Upon his return to Paris, he is not welcomed. Unbeknownst to the dictator, the French press captured details of the war, and released them to the public. He is now viewed as a cruel person, no longer wanted by the French elite. He is disappointed again to learn that another revolt has taken hold in his home country, this time led by the general that helped him stop the initial revolt.
After realizing that his country has fallen to pieces, he decides to stay home this time, and stops the rebellion.
Eventually, the dictator is overthrown, but not necessarily replaced by better forces. Still rich with money, he returns back to Paris, despite the fact that no one seems to care for him. Carpentier, by ending the book this way, shows the carefree attitude of the dictator, only wanting what is best for himself.
Despite the numerous rebellions, there is no clear protagonist in this book. It is possible that the book and its contents itself is the protagonist, as, like a potential literary protagonist, it too was stifled for several decades in relatable dictatorships.
