Costa Rica continues to be a society in which democracy has ample support from its citizens – 75% of Costa Ricans prefer democracy to any other government system.

This was one of the findings from the new research study Cultura de la Constitución en Costa Rica. Una encuesta nacional de actitudes, percepciones y valores (Constitutional Culture in Costa Rica), presented in San José, Costa Rica on 22 June 2209.

The study, carried out by The Institute of Judicial Research of UNAM, International IDEA, and the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, analyzes Costa Ricans’ attitudes and perceptions regarding the Constitution and law.

Participating in the event was the President of the Congress, Francisco A. Pacheco, and the President of the national electoral body Luis, Sobrado. The three authors of the study – Luis Alberto Cordero, Rubén Hernández Valle, Carla Morales and Daniel Zovatto – were also in attendance.

According to the authors, the results of the study were both positive and negative about the Costa Rican society. On the positive side, they mentioned a solid support for democracy, and an acceptable level of knowledge about the functions of the public and political institutions.

On the negative side, the study reveals that most Costa Ricans believe that the law is neither enforced nor respected by citizens, nor by political leaders. In addition, Costa Ricans also believe that people do not respect each other, and that public goods and spaces are not well taken care of.

The study further reveals that 88% of Costa Ricans barely know the Political Constitution, and only 20% of those surveyed believed that laws are respected. The country rated well in terms of tolerance; nonetheless, there is a low degree of confidence in representative institutions.