ABSTRACT
Virtually all the studies comparing Central American nations contain the phrase, "with the exception of Costa Rica"; travelogues, and even many academic studies, refer to Costa Rica as the "Switzerland of Central America." American held rated Costa Rica as the most democratic country in all of Latin America. Costa Rica would be incapable of mounting a credible defense against a determined aggressor, but Costa Rica's friends in Latin America have often made it clear that they would use their military forces to deter thoughts of any such move. Political parties were first organized in the nineteenth century, but until 1940 they were little more than loose, personalist coalitions built around the leading economic interests. The continuously growing government and parastatal bureaucracies further increase costs without adding to production. Costa Ricans mortally feared being caught up in an impossible international conflict that could only result in deep harm being done to their country's national economy, society, and moral fiber.
