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Costa Rica

Quest For Democracy

Contributors

By John A Booth

Formats and Prices

Price

$45.00

Format

Trade Paperback

Format:

Trade Paperback $45.00

How did Costa Rica become Central America's first successful democracy? How does Costa Rican democracy work? How does democracy survive despite regional turmoil, foreign intervention, and economic crisis? Beginning with Costa Rica's history within the Central American context, John Booth traces democratic development in Costa Rica through its institutions, rules of the political game, parties, elections, and interest groups. After a review of socioeconomic and political forces, the author examines political participation and culture, political economy, and foreign affairs.Several democratization theories suggest that Costa Rica should not be democratic at all. Costa Rica's own myth portrays a nation democratic virtually since independence. Both are wrong. Booth reviews classical theories about democracy as a framework for understanding the Costa Rican case. A history of democratization debunks much of the foundation myth, revealing how developing class forces created the modern regime after the 1948 Civil War. Analyses of social structure, political participation, political culture, foreign affairs, and the recent transformation of the Costa Rican political-economic model reveal how regional unrest, foreign intervention, and economic crisis had transformed the state and its development model by the 1990s. Booth concludes by evaluating the prospects for Costa Rican democracy and its lessons for the rest of Latin America.The book's overview of Costa Rican politics is accessible and useful for students, scholars, and general readers.

On Sale
Nov 5, 1999
Page Count
256 pages
Publisher
Avalon Publishing
ISBN-13
9780813337142

John A Booth

About the Author

John A. Booth is Regents Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of North Texas. He is the author of Costa Rica: Quest for Democracy.

Christine J. Wade is Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Washington College. She is the co-author of Nicaragua: Living in the Shadow of the Eagle.

Thomas W. Walker is Professor Emeritus of Political Science and former Director of Latin American Studies Program at Ohio University. He is the co-author of Nicaragua: Living in the Shadow of the Eagle.

Learn more about this author