Understanding Central America: global forces, rebellion, and change

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 US policy in Central America. The problem of power ; Democracy ; Mobilization ; The roots of US policy in Central America ; Communism in Central America ; Demobilization in Central America ; US policy in the post-Cold War period ; Conclusions

Reflections and projections. Reflections: repression, mobilization, and democratic transition ; Projections: prospects for democratic consolidation ; Conclusions.

Crisis and transformation

Global forces and system change in Central America

The common history

Costa Rica

Nicaragua

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Political participation, political attitudes, and democracy

Power, democracy, and U.S. policy in Central America

Reflections and projections.