Oles in the News: Political science professor highlights Costa Rica in MinnPost
In a MinnPost op-ed, St. Olaf College Professor of Political Science Dan Hofrenning draws lessons for the United States from Costa Rica’s model of exceptionalism. He explains that after abolishing its military in 1948, Costa Rica redirected its resources toward education and healthcare — a shift that laid the foundation for a stable democracy and strong civil society. This demilitarization, Hofrenning argues, both protected the country from coups and enhanced political security through multi-party elections, a free press, and an independent judiciary.
As a result, Costa Rica earns a Freedom House score from the non-governmental organization that focuses on strengthening democracy and protecting human rights, higher than the U.S.
Economically, Hofrenning notes, Costa Rica has transitioned from an agricultural economy to one based on manufacturing and ecotourism, attracting major foreign investors like Intel and Microsoft through tax incentives and an educated workforce. He also emphasizes the nation’s commitment to environmental sustainability, noting that nearly all of its electricity comes from renewable sources and that forest coverage has expanded from 30 to 50 percent.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as inequality, agrochemical use, and corruption, Hofrenning concludes that Costa Rica’s political will and problem-solving capacity stand in contrast to the U.S.’s struggles with polarization, inequality, and climate inaction. Therefore, he argues, Costa Rica is a model worth considering.
Read more at MinnPost.
Additionally, Hofrenning authored a Star Tribune commentary on the current priority immigration status of white South Africans. In the commentary, he speaks about misinformation surrounding the current U.S. immigration policy and how it relates to the history of land redistribution and apartheid in South Africa.