The political (in)stability of the central American countries

In: Međunarodni problemi: International problems, Band 72, Heft 4, S. 733-752

Abstract

The paper analyses a correlation between the political (in)stability of the
Central American countries and the inequality of the countries in relation
to the development of capitalism from the aspect of international politics
and economics in the case of the Central American countries. Such a status
of the Central American countries is opposed to the fact that they have
achieved equality in public international law. The Introduction also
indicates that political stability depends on functional public authorities,
and the success in macroeconomic policy. The main part of the paper deals
with the factors which led to political (in)stability during the Cold War
and afterwards. The internal factors include lack of communication and trust
between government and opposition, weak democracy, serious violations of
civil and political rights, dangerous activities of paramilitary forces,
economy depending on illicit drug dealers, the underdeveloped legal system
as well as the lack of modern, equipped police. The above shortcomings refer
especially to Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This is verified by their
ranking in the Human Development Index. On the other hand, countries like
Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama are among higher-ranked
countries. The most important external factor is the US economic and
political impact. In that sense, capitalism can be seen as a recognisable
stabilising force due to its ability to adapt itself to occasional economic
and political crises. However, China?s growing economic, technical and
technological influence on the world could determine a different course of
capitalism?s development, as opposed to the US efforts to maintain a leading
position in defining the role of capitalism in international relations. The
author concludes that these countries can get free from the US influence and
become politically stable, provided that China determines the course of
future capitalism?s development.