Seeking the political role of the third government branch

Until recently Courts were not an importantcomponent of political science research on Latin America. The quantity ofresearch on the judiciary does not compare even remotely to the vastliterature on others institutions. However despite the relativeinattention to their role courts are institutions whose performance hasconcrete and relevant effects on the socio-political system.Indeed Courts have currently emerged as active participants in thepolitical process offering new opportunities to citizens socialmovements interest groups and politicians. Focusing on three countries of Central America (CostaRica Nicaragua and Guatemala) this book illustrates howfar the political system in these countries is shaped in significantways by the role of Courts as political institutions. Throughout acomparative approach this study offers what may be the firstcross-national analysis explicitly designed to serve as a comprehensivemeasure of the political role of High Courts.