The Origins of Costa Rican Federalism

Abstract

The reluctance of Costa Rica to join in cooperative political action with her Central American neighbors has for more than a century been a dominant theme in the relations of these states with each other. Costa Rican separatism—a traditional withdrawal or aloofness from Central American political affairs—has been cited in most studies as a powerful factor in the repeated failure of the attemptsof these nations to create a single Central American Government. Always apart by reason of geography, and largely ignored by Spain, the Costa Ricans acquired strong feelings of exceptionality in late colónial times near the end of the eighteenth century. The basis of this attitude was the conviction that they were being badly treated by other Central American provinces, Guatemala and Nicaragua in particular, who in various ways were responsible for Costa Rican administration. In the few years remaining before independence the Costa Rican distrust was substantially increased by Central American and international events. Independence in 1821 intensified this separatism and grossly compounded it by freeing the forces of localism in individual towns and villages.

Are factor endowments fate?

“…Karnes (1959) shows that, from the time of independence, Costa Rica had already developed a strong Liberal movement. However, in the absence of a dominant city or town at independence, there was onsiderable rivalry and conflict among the four main population centers, Cartago (the colonial capital and center of Conservative groups), San José, Alajuela and Heredia.…”

“…With animosity to the church authorities for failing to allow Costa Rica to have its own bishop, and to the Guatemalan authorities and merchants for forbidding direct trade with Panama, Chile and other countries, and for suppressing tobacco production, Costa Rica provided fertile ground for Liberal ideas. Karnes (1959) shows that, from the time of independence, Costa Rica had already developed a strong Liberal movement. However, in the absence of a dominant city or town at independence, there was onsiderable rivalry and conflict among the four main population centers, Cartago (the colonial capital and center of Conservative groups), San José, Alajuela and Heredia.…”