Inside Central America

Memorial to Clomer Cooper. Given by Ed Moore 4/92.

Since 1979, United States policy in Central America has been based on an assumption that revolutionary movements led by Marxists must represent a serious threat to U.S. interests and security. On this point, the difference between liberals and conservatives is merely one of emphasis or accent. Such an assumption is not shared by most governments in Western Europe and Latin America. In part, these countries base their positions on their understanding of the originas of the present crisis—that is, the history, both remote and recent, of Central America. (Original publication 6/85)

This volume surveys the politics, economics, society, culture, environment and foreign affairs of each country in this volatile region.

Central America sprang into the consciousness of the U.S. public in the late 1970s, propelled by the Nicaraguan revolution and the brutal civil wars in Guatemala and El Salvador. The continuing debates over the nature of the conflicts and the role of U.S. policy have too seldom acknowledged the historical depths of the crises' roots, and the size of the Central American nations has often led U.S. participants in the debate to underestimate the dynamism, complexity, and heterogeneity of the social structures that underlie the political struggles.This book presents a historical and analytical interpretation of recent Central American crises. Using a consistent comparative framework, Dr. Weaver sorts out the relations among economic growth, social organization, and political structure and offers explanations for the historically divergent developments among the five Central American nations. By setting those events in a broader Latin American context and illuminating the relationships between domestic and international influences, Dr. Weaver shows how rapid changes in the social organization of economic production in some periods affected social structures and configurations of political power, while at other times political conflicts conditioned and shaped subsequent patterns of economic expansion.

Lonely Planet Central America is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Scale the Maya temples of Tikal, surf the smoothest and most uncrowded waves in Latin America, or explore the colonial charms of Granada -all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Central America and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Central America: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Recommendations & honest reviews - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, music, cuisine, sports, wildlife, environment, architecture, literature, cinema, current eventsCovers Mexico's Yucatan & Chiapas, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Central America is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. About Lonely Planet: Since 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travelers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.