Radical changes in Central America point to a new political era, and the area’s participation in a “new world [dis]order” involving new processes and new theoretical frames to understand them. Neo-liberal economic policies, persistent socio-political and natural crises, and new issues regarding politics and power in relation gender and ethnic identities, have come to the fore. Now the question of how to study Central American societies has become focused on what were once considered "superstructural" questions, as cultural studies has moved to central stage in an effort to conceptualize and resolve controversial issues crucial to future developments. This book highlights Marc Zimmerman’s take on these matters. Placing developments in Central American cultural studies in relation to previous efforts, Zimmerman then seeks to outline regional history, culture and literature in relation to broader questions. All this leads to a critique pointing to why so many now risk their lives to leave and live elsewhere. The text explores the role of culture and literature in the overall historical process. Cover art by Carlos Barberena©, "Riding the Beast," 2012.