Abstract
The republic of Costa Rica (literally the ‘ Rich Coast’) has been an independent state since the year 1821, although it formed, from 1824 to 1838, part of the Confederation of Central America. It has been governed under a constitution promulgated on 7 Dec. 1871, and modified very frequently since that date and as recently as 1949. The legislative power is normally vested in a single chamber called the Constitutional Congress, which since 1946 consists of 45 deputies, 1 for every 15,000 inhabitants. The members of the chamber are elected for 4 years, one-half retiring every 2 years. The President is elected for 4 years; the candidate receiving the largest vote, provided it is over 40% of the total, is declared elected, but a second ballot is required if no candidate gets 40% of the total. By the election law of 18 Jan. 1946 all citizens who are 20 years of age are entitled to vote ; married men and teachers, from the age of 18. Barred are those deprived of civil rights, criminals, bankrupts and the insane ; women over 21 were enfranchised in 1949, under the new constitution. Elections are normally held on the first Sunday in February. Voting for President, Deputies and Municipal Councillors is, by the law of 26 July 1925, secret, and, by an amendment to the constitution in 1936, compulsory for all men under 70 years of age. Independent non-party candidates are barred from the ballot.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Books of Reference
Statistical Infobmatton. Official statistics are issued by the Director General de Estadistica (Mímstero de Econoinla y Hacienda, Saa José) as they become available. The compilation of statistics was started in 1861.
Biesans, J. and M., Costa Rican Life. 3rd printing. New York, 1946
Fernández Guardia, L., Bistoria de Costa Rica. 2nd ed., 2 vols. San José, 1941
May, S., and others, Costa Rica. New York, 1953
Trejos, Juan, Geografia ilustrada de Costa Rica. San José, 1948
Editor information
Copyright information
© 1959 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Steinberg, S.H. (1959). Costa Rica. In: Steinberg, S.H. (eds) The Statesman’s Year-Book. The Statesman’s Yearbook. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230270886_21
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230270886_21
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-27088-6
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)