Political Culture and Institutional Development in Costa Rica and Nicaragua: World Making in the Tropics

Attempts to construct resilient democracies have been as pervasive as reversals have been cruel in Latin America. Based on a wealth of original historical documents and contemporary interviews, this volume analyzes five centuries of political history through paradigmatic examples of outstanding democratic success and abysmal failure. It demonstrates that while factors highlighted by standard explanations matter, it is political culture that configures economic development, institutional choices and political pacts in ways that directly affect democracy's chances and quality.

Author: Consuelo Cruz
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 08/22/2005
Pages: 302
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.25lbs
Size: 9.48h x 6.36w x 0.92d
ISBN: 9780521842037

Review Citation(s):
Choice 06/01/2006 pg. 1896