The Achilles Heel of Democracy : Judicial Autonomy and the Rule of Law in Central America

The achilles heel of democracy judicial autonomy and the rule of law in Central America.Featuring the first in-depth comparison of the judicial politics of five under-studied Central American countries, The Achilles Heel of Democracy offers a novel typology of 'judicial regime types' based on the political independence and societal autonomy of the judiciary. This book highlights the under-theorized influences on the justice system - criminals, activists, and other societal actors - and the ways that they intersect with more overtly political influences. Grounded in interviews with judges, lawyers, and activists, it presents the 'high politics' of constitutional conflicts in the context of national political conflicts as well as the 'low politics' of crime control and the operations of trial-level courts. The book begins in the violent and often authoritarian 1980s in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and spans through the tumultuous 2015 'Guatemalan Spring'; the evolution of Costa Rica's robust liberal judicial regime is traced from the 1950s.Contents: 1. Societally penetrated judiciaries and the democratic rule of law; 2. The evolution of judicial regimes; 3. Costa Rica: a liberal judicial regime; 4. Government control regimes in Central America versus the rule of law; 5. Clandestine control in Guatemala; 6. Partisan systems; 7. Conclusion Featuring The First In-depth Comparison Of The Judicial Politics Of Five Under-studied Central American Countries, The Achilles Heel Of Democracy Offers A Novel Typology Of 'judicial Regime Types' Based On The Political Independence And Societal Autonomy Of The Judiciary. This Book Highlights The Under-theorized Influences On The Justice System - Criminals, Activists, And Other Societal Actors, And The Ways That They Intersect With More Overtly Political Influences. Grounded In Interviews With Judges, Lawyers, And Activists, It Presents The 'high Politics' Of Constitutional Conflicts In The Context Of National Political Conflicts As Well As The 'low Politics' Of Crime Control And The Operations Of Trial-level Courts. The Book Begins In The Violent And Often Authoritarian 1980s In Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, And Nicaragua, And Spans Through The Tumultuous 2015 'guatemalan Spring'; The Evolution Of Costa Rica's Robust Liberal Judicial Regime Is Traced From The 1950s-- Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Societally Penetrated Judiciaries And The Democratic Rule Of Law; 2. The Evolution Of Judicial Regimes; 3. Costa Rica: A Liberal Judicial Regime; 4. Government Control Regimes In Central America Versus The Rule Of Law; 5. Clandestine Control In Guatemala; 6. Partisan Systems; Conclusion. Rachel E. Bowen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Machine generated contents note: 1. Societally penetrated judiciaries and the democratic rule of law; 2. The evolution of judicial regimes; 3. Costa Rica: a liberal judicial regime; 4. Government control regimes in Central America versus the rule of law; 5. Clandestine control in Guatemala; 6. Partisan systems; Conclusion Featuring the first in-depth comparison of the judicial politics of five under-studied Central American countries, The Achilles Heel of Democracy offers a novel typology of 'judicial regime types' based on the political independence and societal autonomy of the judiciary. This book highlights the under-theorized influences on the justice system - criminals, activists, and other societal actors, and the ways that they intersect with more overtly political influences. Grounded in interviews with judges, lawyers, and activists, it presents the 'high politics' of constitutional conflicts in the context of national political conflicts as well as the 'low politics' of crime control and the operations of trial-level courts. The book begins in the violent and often authoritarian 1980s in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and spans through the tumultuous 2015 'Guatemalan Spring'; the evolution of Costa Rica's robust liberal judicial regime is traced from the 1950s Read more... "Featuring the first in-depth comparison of the judicial politics of five under-studied Central American countries, The Achilles Heel of Democracy offers a novel typology of 'judicial regime types' based on the political independence and societal autonomy of the judiciary. This book highlights the under-theorized influences on the justice system - criminals, activists, and other societal actors, and the ways that they intersect with more overtly political influences. Grounded in interviews with judges, lawyers, and activists, it presents the 'high politics' of constitutional conflicts in the context of national political conflicts as well as the 'low politics' of crime control and the operations of trial-level courts. The book begins in the violent and often authoritarian 1980s in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and spans through the tumultuous 2015 'Guatemalan Spring'; the evolution of Costa Rica's robust liberal judicial regime is traced from the 1950s"-- Provided by publisher Contents 6 Tables 8 Figures 9 Acknowledgments 10 1 Societally Penetrated Judiciaries and the Democratic Rule of Law 12 2 The Evolution of Judicial Regimes 45 3 Costa Rica: A Liberal Judicial Regime 84 4 Government Control Regimes in Central America versus the Rule of Law 121 5 Clandestine Control in Guatemala 154 6 Partisan Systems 202 Conclusion 233 appendix a: Methodology and Sample 256 appendix b: Technical Aspects of the Costa Rican Judiciary 265 appendix c: Technical Aspects of the Guatemalan Judiciary 268 appendix d: Technical Aspects of the Nicaraguan Judiciary 272 appendix e: Technical Aspects of the Honduran Judiciary 274 appendix f: Technical Aspects of the Salvadoran Judiciary 276 Works Cited 280 Index 298 The,Achilles,Heel,of,Democracy