For the past 100 years, the country has known only two very short military regimes. Following a civil war in 1948, in two of the most innovative moves in recent history, Costa Rican president Pepe Figueres constitutionally abolished the army, and limited presidents to serve one term only. Nine presidential campaigns since 1949 has produced victories for the opposition candidate seven times -- all with an 80 percent voter participation rate! In a region plagued by civil wars, human rights abuses, and until recently dictatorships and poverty, Costa Rica stands out as an exception.
The new Constitution of 1949 included a progressive labor code, upheld a system of social security, and contained a set of social guarantees (such as a minimum wage), that gave the average citizen rights that were ahead of their time. In many ways this diminished the disparity between the upper and lower classes and thus was conducive to cooperation and the resolution of conflicts in a democratic forum. The government, albeit plagued by problems over the decades, has shown a commitment to broad social welfare. This commitment coupled with a strong support of public education and public health has helped create a mature populace that has learned how to solve problems without resorting to armed conflict.
