Understanding Central America: global forces, rebellion, and change

Abstract

Crisis and Transformation Global Forces and System Change in Central America * Poverty and Its Causes * Regime Change in Central America * Discussion The Common History * Conquest to 1838 * 1838 to the Present Costa Rica * Historical Background * Weathering Global Forces * The Economic Development Model Transformed * Changes in Politics and Parties * Contemporary Costa Rican Politics * Conclusions Nicaragua * Historical Background * Global Forces and Insurrection * The Revolution * Replacing the Revolution * Contemporary Nicaraguan Politics * Conclusions El Salvador * Historical Background * Global Forces and Insurrection * Government and Politics Since the Peace Accord * Conclusions Guatemala * Historical Background * Global Forces and Conflict * The Civilian Transitional Regime and the Civil War * The Peace Accords and Contemporary Guatemalan Politics * Conclusions Honduras * Historical Background * Weathering Global Forces * Contemporary Honduran Politics * Conclusions Political Participation, Political Attitudes and Democracy * Citizen Participation * Citizen Attitudes * Factors Shaping Attitudes and Participation * Conclusions Power, Democracy, and U.S. Policy in Central America * The Problem of Power * Democracy * Mobilization * The Roots of U.S. Policy in Central America * Communism in Central America * Demobilization in Central America * U.S. Policy in the Post-Cold War Period * The Cost of U.S. Cold War Policy in Central America * Conclusions Reflections and Projections * Reflections: Repression, Mobilization, and Democratic Transition * Projections: Prospects for Democratic Consolidation * Conclusions