Overview

"Thoroughly updated in its second edition, Democracy in Latin America provides an in-depth and accessible survey of processes of democratization in Latin America from 1900 to the present. In clear and jargon-free prose, acclaimed author Peter H. Smith examines the origins and evolution of democracy in Latin America; the adoption and reform of electoral institutions; the policy performance of contemporary democracies; the political representation of women, workers, and indigenous peoples; and trends in public opinion. Adroitly blending qualitative and quantitative approaches, Democracy in Latin America, Second Edition, offers an innovative perspective on democratic change in Latin America. Enhanced by photos and text boxes featuring portraits of personalities, explanations about methodology, and comments on conceptual approaches, it is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in political science, history, Latin American studies, and history.FEATURES OF THE SECOND EDITION:* Updates empirical information on present-day developments, such as women's representation, the empowerment of indigenous peoples, and anti-poverty policies* Interprets the emergence of the ""new Left"" as part of a recurring dialectic within Latin American democracy* Analyzes the changing roles of the judiciary* Considers the relationship between social status and satisfaction with democracy* Reassesses the relative balance between ""liberal"" and ""illiberal"" democracy throughout the region* Provides a completely new analysis of public opinion on the basis of raw survey data* Takes into account the contemporary international environment, inlcuding the rise of China"

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter H. Smith
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Edition:   2nd edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.70cm , Height: 1.30cm , Length: 23.60cm
Weight:   0.494kg
ISBN:  

9780195387735

ISBN 10:   0195387732
Pages:   400
Publication Date:   08 September 2011
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Tables, Figures, and Maps: Preface: Introduction: Dimensions of Democracy A Tale of Two Presidents Definitions of Democracy Elections: Rights: Overview: Focus and Themes Interpretive Arguments: Analytical Perspectives: PART I: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES, 1900-2000 1. Cycles of Electoral Democracy Legacies of Independence Cycles and Trends Global and Comparative Perspectives Democratic Dominoes?: Subregional Variations and the Colossus of the North: Lessons over Time: Prior Experience Democracy and Instability: 2. Transitions and Continuities Starting Points Economic Requisites? Social Forces Cycle 1: 1900-1939: Cycle 2: 1940-1977: Cycle 3: 1978-2000: End Games and Elite Bargains The Bargaining Process: Getting to Cases: Patterns of Change in Perspective 3. The Military: Heading for the Exits? Forging Fatherlands Patterns of Participation Missions and Regimes: Wars Against Subversion The Democrats' Dilemma: To Amnesty or Not? Precedents from Argentina: Chilean Twists: Modes of Interaction: The Armed Forces and Democracy Has the Military Left? 4. Global Contexts, International Forces Imperialism and Democracy The Anticommunist Crusades Stemming the Tides of Revolution: Displacing Inconvenient Democracies: Economic Issues: Debt and Structural Reform The Political Economy of Globalization: Drugs, Dictators, and U.S. Policy International Organizations PART II: THE ELECTORAL ARENA 5. Presidents or Parliaments? The Terms of Debate Envisioning Alternatives Proparliamentary Arguments: Counterarguments: Semipresidentialism/Semiparliamentarism?: Attempts at Reform Brazil: Voice of the Voters: Argentina: Calculating Political Odds: Chile: A Pact for Presidentialism: Why Not? 6. Institutional Variations Executive Power Means of Election: To Reelect or Not?: Sources of Power: The Legislative Branch Electoral Systems and Rules of Representation: Reelection and Term Limits: Institutional Performance: Toppling Presidents?: Parties and Party Systems Taking the Measure of Parties: Gauging Public Distrust: 7. Elections: Voters, Winners, and Losers Expanding the Electorate Participation Competitiveness The Range of Choice Impacts of Bureaucratic-Authoritarianism: Legacies of Military Populism: A Resurgence of the Left Digression: Schisms on the Left: Dilemmas of Democracy: Representation vs. Governance PART III: QUALITIES OF DEMOCRACY 8. State Capacity and Policy Performance The Latin American State: Roles and Capacities Democracy vs. Dictatorship: General Hypotheses The Politics of Economic Growth Social Impacts: Health and Education The Problem of Poverty Inequality and Income Distribution 9. The Politics of Social Equity Losing Ground: The Working Class Signs of Hard Times: Zero-Sum Politics: Women: Moving Up Patterns of Participation: Political Representation: Positions and Policies: Gathering Strength: Indigenous Peoples Bolivia: Party Politics: Ecuador: Strength in Social Movements: Guatemala: Civil War and Genocide: 10. Freedoms, Rights, and Illiberal Democracy Gradations of Democracy Freedom of the Press Antidefamation Laws and Policies: Analytical Overview: The Uneven Rule of Law The Roles of Courts: The Changing Content of Electoral Democracy Pathways to Full Democracy 11. The People's Verdict The Concept of Political Culture Democracy in Principle The Relevance of Social Class: Democracy in Practice Case Study: Insights from Argentina: Political Ideology Trust in Institutions Roots of Disenchantment Activism and Protest PART IV: DEMOCRACY CONSIDERED 12. The Dialectic of Democracy Findings in Review Changing Shapes of Democracy Democracy in the Era of Mass Politics 1940-1977: Dangers of Democracy: 1978-Present: Democracy Made Safe: 1998-Present: Democracy Turns Left: Epilogue: The Future of Democracy The International Environment Economic Dimensions: The Crash of 2007-2009: Transnational Crime: Political Developments Democratic Tendencies: The Question of Consolidation Deepening Democracy?: Survival, Institutionalization, and Legitimation: Alternative Scenarios Standing Fast: Backsliding: Moving Ahead: Appendix 1. Classification of Electoral Regimes, 1900-2000 Appendix 2. Military Coups in Latin America, 1900-2000 Suggested Readings: Index:

Reviews

<br> There's no real competitor to Democracy in Latin America. Peter Smith provides us with the gold standard of placing Latin American political institutions and policies in historical context and in comparative perspective. --John A. Booth, University of North Texas<p><br> This book is a major achievement. It uniquely combines historical depth, masterful organization of a great mass of information, sophisticated data analysis, shrewd interpretation, and, indeed, great writing. This book is a must for persons interested in democracy and democratization, not only in relation to Latin America but elsewhere. --Guillermo O'Donnell, University of Notre Dame<p><br>

There's no real competitor to Democracy in Latin America. Peter Smith provides us with the gold standard of placing Latin American political institutions and policies in historical context and in comparative perspective. --John A. Booth, University of North Texas This book is a major achievement. It uniquely combines historical depth, masterful organization of a great mass of information, sophisticated data analysis, shrewd interpretation, and, indeed, great writing. This book is a must for persons interested in democracy and democratization, not only in relation to Latin America but elsewhere. --Guillermo O'Donnell, University of Notre Dame

Author Information

Peter H. Smith is Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Simón Bolívar Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of California, San Diego. A former president of the Latin American Studies Association, he is the author of more than twenty books, including Talons of the Eagle: Latin America, the United States, and the World, Third Edition (OUP, 2007) and coauthor of Modern Latin America, Seventh Edition (OUP, 2009).

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