A Country Study: Colombia

• Colombia
• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Preface
• Country Profile - Visit new updated Profile (PDF)
  • Country
  • Geography
  • Society
  • Economy
  • Transportation and Communications
  • Government and Politics
  • National Security
• Introduction

• Chapter 1 - Historical Setting (Karen M. Sturges-Vera)
  • The Spanish Conquest
    • The Pre-Columbian Era
    • Exploration and Conquest
  • Colonial Society, 1550-1810
    • Colonial Administration
    • The Colonial Economy
    • The Colonial Church
    • Developments Leading to Independence
  • The Founding of the Nation, 1810-1903
    • The Independence Movement
    • Gran Colombia
    • New Granada
    • Consolidation of Political Divisions
      • The Federalists
      • The Nationalists
  • The Period of Reconciliation, 1903-30
    • The Reyes Presidency
    • Economic and Social Change
  • The Reformist Period, 1930-45
  • Collapse of the Democratic System, 1946-58
    • La Violencia
    • The Rojas Pinilla Dictatorship
  • The National Front, 1958-74
    • Instituting the Coalition Government
    • Opposition to the National Front
    • Dismantling the Coalition Apparatus
  • The Post-National Front Period, 1974-82
    • The Erosion of Partisan Affiliations
    • The Liberal Tenure

• Chapter 2 - The Society and Its Environment (Bruce Michael Bagley)
  • Physical Setting
    • Geographic Regions
      • Andean Highlands
      • Caribbean Lowlands
      • Pacific Lowlands
      • Eastern Colombia
    • Climate
  • Population and Urbanization
    • Population Trends
    • Urbanization, Migration, and Immigration
  • Race and Ethnicity
    • Historical Development
    • Contemporary Trends
  • Social Class
    • Upper Class
    • Middle Class
    • The Lower Class and the Masses
  • Family Life
  • Income Distribution
    • Rural Wages
    • Urban Wages
  • Health and Welfare
    • General Indicators of Health
    • The Politics of Health: Priorities, Institutions, and Public Policy
    • National Health Care System
    • Social Security
  • Religion
    • The Church in Society
    • Trends Within the Church since the 1940s
  • Education
    • Historical Background
    • Administration and Finance
    • Primary Education
    • Secondary and University Education
    • Resource Allocation
  • Drugs and Society

• Chapter 3 - The Economy (J.F. Hornbeck)
  • Growth and Structure of the Economy
  • Macro-Economic Trends
    • Economic Growth
    • Inflation and Unemployment
    • The Labor Movement
  • Role of the Government in the Economy
    • Fiscal and Monetary Policy
    • Parastatal Management
  • Agriculture
    • Crops
    • Livestock
    • Forestry and Fishing
  • Mining and Energy
    • Coal
    • Petroleum
  • Industry
  • Services
    • Banking
    • Tourism
    • Utilities
    • Transportation and Communications
  • Foreign Economic Relations
    • Foreign Trade
    • Direction of Trade
    • Balance of Payments
    • Foreign Debt

• Chapter 4 - Government and Politics (Rex A. Hudson)
  • The Governmental System
    • Constitutional Development
    • The Executive
    • The Legislature
    • The Judiciary
    • Public Administration
    • Local Government
    • The Electoral System
  • Political Dynamics
    • Traditional Parties
    • Factionalism
    • Minor Third Parties
    • Post-National Front Political Developments
    • Interest Groups
      • The Military
      • The Church
      • Economic Associations
      • Labor Unions
      • Students
    • News Media
  • Foreign Relations
    • Relations with the United States
    • Relations with Latin America
    • Relations with World Organizations
    • Relations with Communist Countries
    • Relations with Other Nations
    • Foreign Policy Decision Making

• Chapter 5 - National Security (Phyllis Greene Walker)
  • Background and Traditions of the Armed Forces
    • Historical Background
    • The Development of the Modern Armed Forces
      • Professionalization Efforts
      • The Leticia Conflict
      • The Establishment of United States Military Ties
      • The Legacy of La Violencia
      • Civic Action, Counterinsurgency, and Internal Security
    • Foreign Military Influence
    • Geopolitical Interests
      • Isla de San Andrés and Isla de Providencia
      • The Golfo de Venezuela and Islas Los Monjes
    • The Political Role of the Armed Forces
  • Constitutional Provisions and Treaty Obligations
    • Constitutional Authority and the Legal Basis of the Armed Forces
    • Treaty Obligations
  • The Organization of the Armed Forces
    • The Command Structure
    • Operational Command, Deployment, and Equipment
      • The National Army
      • The National Navy
      • The Colombian Air Force
    • Military Expenditures
    • Conscription and Military Service
    • The Military Education System
    • Uniforms, Ranks, and Insignia
  • The National Police and Law Enforcement Authorities
  • Internal Security Problems
    • Guerrilla and Terrorist Groups
      • The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
      • The 19th of April Movement
      • The National Liberation Army
      • The Popular Liberation Army
    • Narcotics Control and Interdiction
  • Crime and Punishment
    • Crime and Political Violence
    • The Penal System

• Appendix. Tables
• Bibliography
• Glossary