This timely book, with its useful and comprehensive index, is an insightful study of Nicaragua that should be read by any student of foreign affairs. Journal of Internal Law & Politics This book is an examination of the evolving social and political atmosphere during the first half decade after the Sandinist revolution. Written by eminent scholars and participants Nicaragua documents the rapid social change that has occurred during the last five years. The essays focus on agrarian reform, education, health care, food policy, and Nicaragua's relations with the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and the non-alligned and socialist bloc nations.

Nicaragua: Emerging from the Shadow of the Eagle details the country's unique history, culture, economics, politics, and foreign relations. Its historical coverage considers Nicaragua from pre-Columbian and colonial times as well as during the nationalist liberal era, the U.S. Marine occupation, the Somoza dictatorship, the Sandinista revolution and government, the conservative restoration after 1990, and consolidation of the FSLN's power since the return of Daniel Ortega to the presidency in 2006.The thoroughly revised and updated sixth edition features new material covering political, economic, and social developments since 2011. This includes expanded discussions on economic diversification, women and gender, and social programs. Students of Latin American politics and history will learn the how the interventions by the United States 'the eagle' to 'the north' have shaped Nicaraguan political, economic, and cultural life, but also the extent to which Nicaragua is increasingly emerging from the eagle's shadow.

For Central America, the last third of the twentieth century was a time of dramatic change in which most countries shifted from dictatorships to formal political democracy. The process of transition in most Central American countries was made possible only through violent conflict-costing over 350,000 lives-which either toppled the dictatorships or forced them to negotiate transition to a more democratic system. Repression, Resistance, and Democratic Transition in Central America shows how revolt and revolution serve as the motors of political change in this region. The book systematically examines the various ways in which democratic transition has taken place-all of which have been distinct from countries in South America, where democratization was relatively sudden and peaceful. Written by leading scholars, Repression, Resistance, and Democratic Transition in Central America examines the major forces shaping change in the region and provides the recent political history of all six Central American countries: Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama. Each country's particular transition adds to the reader's understanding of democratization in the late twentieth century. Democracy is viewed in broad terms, allowing the contributors to focus on each country's unique development, along with presentation of the major themes in the social, political, and economic history of these nations. These cases raise questions about the behavior and values of elites and masses in the transition to and in the deepening of democracy. As this book reveals, external actors-particularly the United States, the Organization of American States and the United Nations-had a significant impact on political conversion. The relationship between neoliberalism and democracy is also addressed. This new text is ideal for courses in Latin American history and politics, as well as courses focusing on the transition to democracy in Latin America.

The product of research and investigation by a team of sixteen authors, Reagan versus the Sandinistas is the most comprehensive and current study to date of the Reagan administration's mounting campaign to reverse the Sandinista revolution. The authors thoroughly examine all major aspects of Reagan's "low-intensity war," from the U.S. government's attempts at economic destabilization to direct CIA sabotage and the sponsorship of the contras or freedom fighters. They also explore less-public tactics such as electronic penetration, behind-the-scenes manipulation of religious and ethnic tensions, and harassment of U.S. Nicaraguan specialists and "fellow travelers." The book concludes with a consideration of the impact of these activities and their implications for international law, U.S. interests, U.S. polity, and Nicaragua itself. Reagan versus the Sandinistas is designed not only for courses on Latin America, U.S. foreign policy, and international relations, but also for students, scholars, and others interested in understanding one of the most massive, complex efforts-short of direct intervention-organized by the United States to overthrow the government of another country.

A comprehensive overview of the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, this book offers an interdisciplinary study of the domestic and foreign challenges that faced the Sandinista government during its ten years in power. Based on extensive research in Nicaragua during the revolution, the essays examine important aspects of both the revolution and the U.S.-orchestrated counterrevolution that brought it to an end. After an introduction to the historical background of the revolutionary period, contributors offer an overview of specific groups and institutions within the revolution, such as women, grass-roots organizations, and the armed forces, and provide a balanced assessment of Sandinista public policy and performance in such areas as agrarian reform, health care, education, and housing. The impact and implications of the contra war, financed by the United States, are also analyzed, as well as efforts made over the years to promote a negotiated peace.

Focusing on Nicaragua after the 1990 Sandinista electoral defeat, this book is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary study of one of the most unusual cases of regime transition in the late 20th century. It shows the similarities and differences between Nicaragua's regime and those of other countries.

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.

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.

Nicaragua: Emerging from the Shadow of the Eagle details the country's unique history, culture, economics, politics, and foreign relations. Its historical coverage considers Nicaragua from pre-Columbian and colonial times as well as during the nationalist liberal era, the U.S. Marine occupation, the Somoza dictatorship, the Sandinista revolution and government, the conservative restoration after 1990, and consolidation of the FSLN's power since the return of Daniel Ortega to the presidency in 2006. The thoroughly revised and updated sixth edition features new material covering political, economic, and social developments since 2011. This includes expanded discussions on economic diversification, women and gender, and social programs. Students of Latin American politics and history will learn the how the interventions by the United States 'the eagle' to 'the north' have shaped Nicaraguan political, economic, and cultural life, but also the extent to which Nicaragua is increasingly emerging from the eagle's shadow.

Ariel Armony focuses, in this study, on the role played by Argentina in the anti-Communist crusade in Central America. This systematic examination of Argentina's involvement in the Central American drama of the late 1970s and early 1980s fine-tunes our knowledge of a major episode of the Cold War era.

Basing his study on exhaustive research in the United States, Argentina, and Nicaragua, Armony adroitly demolishes several key assumptions that have shaped the work of scholars in U.S. foreign policy, Argentine military politics, and Central American affairs.