An introduction to the political history of the five nations of Central America, updated to include the economic, demographic, and political aspects of globalization in the region Extensively revised and updated, Understanding Central America explains how domestic and global political and economic forces shaped rebellion and regime change in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras from the 1970s. Providing the authoritative and comprehensive coverage required by students of Latin America, political science and international relations, the authors explore the origins and development of the region's political conflicts and efforts to resolve them. Throughout the book, students can explore Central America's political and economic development from the early 1800s onward as a background for understanding rebellion and regime changes in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. This revised edition brings the Central American story up-to-date, with special emphasis on globalization, public opinion, progress toward democratic consolidation, and US pressures on political and economic processes. The authors offer a thorough analysis of how global forces act on these small nations. A useful introduction to the region, organized to facilitate classroom discussion and a model for how to convey the complexities of the region in language students will comprehend, Understanding Central America stands out as a must-have resource.