Understanding Central America: Global Forces and Political Change

by John A. Booth, Christine J Wade, Thomas W. Walker

In this seventh edition, John A. Booth, Christine J. Wade, and Thomas W. Walker update a classic in the field which invites students to explore the histories, economies, and politics of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Covering the region's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward, the authors bring the Central American story up to date.

New to the 7th Edition:

Analysis of trends in human rights performance, political violence, and evolution of regime types;



Updated findings from surveys to examine levels of political participation and support for democratic norms among Central Americans;



Historical and current-era material on indigenous peoples and other racial minorities;



Discussion of popular attitudes toward political rights for homosexuals, and LGBTQ access to public services;



Discussion of women's rights and access to reproductive health services, and women's integration into elective offices;



Tracing evolving party systems, national elections, and US policy toward the region under the Obama and Trump administrations;



Central America's international concerns including Venezuela's shrinking role as an alternative source of foreign aid and antagonist to US policy in the region, and migration among and through Central American nations.

Understanding Central America is an ideal text for all students of Latin American politics and is highly recommended for courses on Central American politics, social systems, and history.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction

444 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 1989

Reviews

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best general overview that I have read of the Central American wars of the 1970-80s. Unlike most other English-language books on Central America, this one does not place the United States at the center of the narrative, but rather analyzes the region's history on its own terms. (To use political science jargon, this is primarily a book about comparative politics rather than international relations). Of course the book does not ignore U.S. policy entirely -- such an approach would be impossible given the deep U.S. involvement in the region, and in fact there is an entire chapter devoted to the subject. But the book's primary focus is on the internal dynamics that led to the dramatic upheavals of the '70s-80s, and it handles the subject with clarity and depth.

A few warnings are in order, however. Since this is an academic volume, what you receive in terms of depth of analysis, you pay for in the sheer dryness of the prose. Also, the book's coverage does not extend to Panama. That being said, anyone looking for a relatively quick primer on the region would do well to start here. (My edition clocks in at less than 200 pages, not counting endnotes and appendices).

Mine is the 1999 edition (w/ the green cover). For what it's worth, I think highly enough of this book that I would definitely purchase the updated edition should the opportunity ever arise.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a thorough and well-researched history of Central American history and political processes, mostly in the 20th century up to 1998. The authors are detailed in their investigations that examine each country’s historical backdrop from the 19th century onwards, and how the economic and social developments of each nation contributed to their regime changes throughout the tumultuous 20th century, with each culminating in what the authors deem ‘civilian democracies’. They also examine the similarities and differences between the nations, and take a pointed but nonideological look at US involvement on the isthmus. It’s a good text to become familiarized with the recent history of Central America that is accessible and not too long.

[Athalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read 6th edition (2015)

[Krysti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good primer in the politics of the region (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica). The book is too generic at times and I think I got more out of this book because I have already detailed accounts of Guatemalan history.

[Lionel]

I read part of this book for an Anthropology class in university. It didn't grab my attention and I have no intention of finishing it.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best writing