Costa Rica’s Political Evolution: From Colonial Times to 1949

Posted on Jan 28, 2025 in History

Key Milestones in Costa Rica’s Political History

The Colonial Era and Early State Formation

• The first process in the formation of the national state occurred during colonial times.
• During the colonial period in Costa Rica, one could not speak of “social equality” because black slavery existed.
• Slavery in Central America was abolished with the Constitution of 1824.
• In the 18th century, Montesquieu developed the idea of the division of power.
• In the 17th century, reason and experience were considered the basic principles of the Enlightenment.
• The foremost authority in the province was the Governor of Costa Rica.
• San José became the capital of Costa Rica after the Ochomogo War.

The 19th Century: Constitutions and Political Shifts

• The “19th-century liberal state” is also known as the Republican Authoritarian Colonial State.
• The Constitution of 1848 is known as the reformed constitution.
• The Constitution of 1871 had the longest duration during the first period of constitutional development.
• The period between 1821 and 1870 in national history was characterized by an unstable state.
• Juan Rafael Mora Porras, a member of the economic leadership group, strengthened the army during his government.
• Rafael Francisco Osejo was a prominent intellectual during the first phase of state formation.
• Catholic priests played a significant ideological role during the first phase of state formation.
• Costa Rica was a member of the Federal Republic until the government of José María Castro Madriz.
• The Republican Authoritarian regime emerged in Costa Rica alongside the development of the oligarchic state.
• The League War occurred because of the law derogating the ambulant system (rotating capital).
• The presidential term stipulated in the Constitution of 1848 was six years.
• The strengthening of the executive branch became evident in 1856 under the rule of Juan Mora Porras.
• During the period of the patriarchal state, councils from major cities met to govern.
• Political instability characterized the oligarchic state in Costa Rica.
• A pact stipulated that the government would be headed by a board above the state.
• The comptroller’s office is responsible for resolving most economic problems.
• The overarching global political trend is towards free trade.
• “Polyarchy” is a concept used to describe democracy in Costa Rica.
• The Constitution of 1825 first established the makeup of governmental power.
• A sense of belonging is a feature of national identity.

Towards the 20th Century: Reforms and the 1949 Constitution

• The direct election of mayors was established in the Municipal Code of 1998.
• The Supreme Electoral Tribunal determines the number of voter registrations.
• Electoral propaganda in the 2002 election was mainly focused on the presidential race.
• The separation of Costa Rica from the Central American Federation was defined in the Constitution of 1848.
• In the 20th century, the army became less important in Costa Rica.
• Television and other communication resources are unique to the current electoral culture.
• The events of November 7, 1889, strengthened democracy in Costa Rica.
• The female vote was achieved in the current Constitution of 1949.
• The Constitution of 1949 strengthened the Judiciary.
• The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is an innovation of the 1949 Constitution.
• Autonomous institutions were created to decentralize the activities of the executive branch.
• The abolition of the army was established in the Constitution of 1949.
• The chapter on education and culture was introduced in the Constitution of 1949.
• Free primary education was an accomplishment of the Constitution of 1869.
• The Constitution of 1949 established the autonomy of higher education.
• Article 77 of the 1949 Constitution aimed to guarantee academic freedom.
• Some great masters of the country, such as Segreda, Dobles, Flores, and González, opposed free primary education.
• Defenders of free public education believed that it strengthened democracy.
• A major political role in Costa Rica is to vote.
• Universal suffrage occurs when all citizens, without distinction of any kind, have one vote.
• Parish and electoral bodies were first established in the Constitution of 1821.