Modern Panama: From Occupation to Crossroads of the Americas

Few have a complete understanding of the recent history of Panama, markedly since the signing of the Carter-Torrijos Treaties in 1977. Although the Treaty set the stage for the country to finally control all of its territory, little is known about how Panama has fared, both as a manager of a major waterway and as a sovereign nation in a unique region. Authors Michael L. Conniff and Gene E. Bigler seek to fill this major gap in Latin American history with Modern Panama, a thorough account of the recent political and economic developments in Panama. Despite the country's continued struggle with political corruption, Conniff and Bigler argue that changes since the turnover of the Canal have been largely positive, and Panama has emerged into the twenty-first century as a stable, functioning democracy with a growing economy, improved canal management, and a higher standard of living.


About the Author
Bigler, Gene E.: - Gene E. Bigler is a retired US Foreign Service Officer who was instrumental in the transition of control of the Panama Canal Zone from the US to Panama. He has also taught political science and public policy analysis at The Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, the Instituto de Estudios de Administracion (IESA) in Caracas, Venezuela, and at other institutions in the US and Latin America.Conniff, Michael L.: - Michael L. Conniff is Professor Emeritus of History at San José State University. His recent publications include A New History of Modern Latin America (2017, with Lawrence Clayton and Susan Gauss), Panama and the United States (2012), and Populism in Latin America (2nd edition, 2012).