Magazine content is available exclusively for TIME subscribers.CENTRAL AMERICA: Costa Rica Shows How, Again
One way to defend democracy: get rid of the army
"What is this? Carnival?" marveled an American tourist in Costa Rica's flag-bedecked capital, San José. It sure sounded that way. All day long, happy motorists jammed the main drag, Central Avenue, while tapping out beep-beep-beep, beep-beep-beep on their horns.
Thousands of other Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, danced joyously in the streets. It was not Carnival, however, but a bash celebrating another honest election in a part of the world where political honesty and elections are all too rare.
In Costa Rica's...
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