Democracy in Latin America / Edition 3

by Peter Smith, Cameron Sells

Overview

Democracy in Latin America, Third Edition, examines processes of democratization in Latin America from 1900 to the present. Thoroughly revised and expanded, this new edition provides a widespread view of political transformation throughout the entire region.

Adroitly blending qualitative and quantitative approaches, Democracy in Latin America, Third Edition, offers an innovative view of the "dialectic" of democratic change in Latin America. This interpretation draws upon new material concerning the rise of the "new Left," the relationship between social status and satisfaction with democracy, the effectiveness of antipoverty policies, changing roles of the judiciary, and the impact of the international environment. The text is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous photographic illustrations and brief "boxes" with portraits of personalities, explanations about methodology, and comments on conceptual approaches.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190611347
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/18/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Peter H. Smith is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Simón Bolívar Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of California, San Diego.

Cameron J. Sells is a Ph.D. student in Political Science at the University of California, San Diego.

Table of Contents

Tables, Figures, and Maps

Preface

Introduction: Dimensions of Democracy

PART I: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES, 1900-2000

Cycles of Electoral Democracy

Transitions and Continuities

The Military: Heading for the Exits?

Global Contexts, International Forces


PART II: THE ELECTORAL ARENA

Presidents or Parliaments?

Institutional Designs

Elections: Voters, Winners, Losers


PART III: QUALITIES OF DEMOCRACY

State Capacity and Policy Performance

The Politics of Social Equity

Illiberal Democracy

The People's Verdict


PART IV: DEMOCRACY CONSIDERED

12 The Dialectic of Democracy

Epilogue: The Future of Democracy

APPENDIX 1 Classification of Electoral Regimes, 1900-2015

APPENDIX 2 Military Coups in Latin America, 1900-2015

Suggested Readings

Index

Editorial Reviews

"I can hardly imagine a better way to combine a grand narrative of political development in the region with empirical evidence supporting each point that the authors make. Democracy in Latin America should be the standard textbook for undergraduates interested in democratization and Latin American politics."
—Francisco Cantu, University of Houston

"Democracy in Latin America has more on institutions than any other textbook on Latin American politics I am aware of. Smith and Sells' focus on regime change in this region is unique, providing an effective hook for organizing the book."
—Melody Ellis Valdini, Portland State University

"The best book on democracy in Latin America."
—Philip Mauceri, State University of New York at New Paltz

From the Publisher