Guatemala: intervention, repression, revolt, and negotiated transition / Susanne Jonas and Thomas W. Walker -- El Salvador: revolt and negotiated transition / Shawn L. Bird and Philip J. Williams -- Honduras: militarism and democratization in troubled waters / J. Mark Ruhl -- Nicaragua: transition through revolution / Thomas W. Walker -- Costa Rica: buffeted democracy / John A. Booth -- Panama: militarism and imposed transition / Steve C. Ropp -- External actors: other states / Richard Stahler-Sholk -- External actors: the United Nations and the organization of American States / Jack Child -- Religion in the Central American embroglio / Edward L. Cleary -- Neoliberalism in Central America / Carlos M. Vilas -- Civil society and democratic transition / Patricia Bayer Richard and John A. Booth