Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Latin America / Edition 1

by Guillermo O'Donnell, Philippe C. Schmitter, Laurence Whitehead

Overview

An array of internationally noted scholars examines the process of democratization in southern Europe and Latin America. They provide new interpretations of both current and historical efforts of nations to end periods of authoritarian rule and to initiate transition to democracy, efforts that have met with widely varying degrees of success and failure. Extensive case studies of individual countries, a comparative overview, and a synthesis conclusions offer important insights for political scientists, students, and all concerned with the prospects for democracy. Political democracy is not the only possible outcome of transitions from authoritarianism. The authors draw out the implications of democracy as a goal and of the uncertainty inherent in transitional situations. Democratization is perhaps the central issue in Latin American politics today. Case studies focus on Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801831881
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	09/01/1986
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 2.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Guillermo O'Donnell was a prominent Argentine political scientist who served as president of the International Political Science Association (IPSA) from 1988 to 1991, and was vice-president of the American Political Science Association (APSA) from 1999-2000.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
1. Introduction to the Latin American Cases
2. Political Cycles in Argentina since 1955
3. Bolivia's Failed Democratization, 1977-1980
4. The "Liberalization" of Authoritarian Rule in Brazil
5. The Political Evolution of the Chilean Military Regime and Problems in the Transition to Democracy
6. Political Liberalization in an Authoritarian Regime: The Case of Mexico
7. Military Interventions and "Transfer of Power to Civilians" in Peru
8. Uruguay's Transition from Collegial Military-Technocratic Rule
9. Petroleum and Political Pacts: The Transition to Democracy in Venezuela
Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

The essays appearing in the collection Transitions from Authoritarian rule . . . will serve as reference points for students of redemocratization for years to come. Other essays will serve as classic case studies . . . the volumes deserve to be read time and again.
--Nancy Bermeo, Comparative Politics

From the Publisher

The essays appearing in the collection Transitions from Authoritarian rule . . . will serve as reference points for students of redemocratization for years to come. Other essays will serve as classic case studies . . . the volumes deserve to be read time and again.

Comparative Politics - Nancy Bermeo

The essays appearing in the collection Transitions from Authoritarian rule... will serve as reference points for students of redemocratization for years to come. Other essays will serve as classic case studies... the volumes deserve to be read time and again.

— Nancy Bermeo

Comparative Politics