How politically stable is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has enjoyed more than a century of democracy and peace. It is the oldest democracy in all of Latin America. Like the U.S., the Costa Rican government consists of three branches, the executive – the presidency and ministries, the judicial – the Supreme Court, and district and appellate courts, and the legislative branch – their assembly or legislature. The president, two vice presidents, and the legislators are all elected to four-year terms in free, direct popular elections. Each president can serve only one four-year term. Candidates run for office in a multi-party political system and no single party dominates. Costa Rica is a government of laws, and like the U.S., the Costa Rican constitution guarantees human rights, private property, and equality before the law – for Costa Ricans and non-Costa Ricans alike. Costa Rica has enjoyed this long-standing stability for several reasons. No part of the Costa Rican population has ever been subjugated, so there is no class division
