Constructing Democratic Governance

by Dominguez, Jorge I.; Lowenthal, Abraham F.

• ISBN13: 9780801854033
• ISBN10: 0801854032
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-09-12
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

In "Constructing Democratic Governance," Jorge I. Dominguez and Abraham F. Lowenthal bring together a distinguished group of scholars to assess how well democracy has been working in this volatile part of the world. The authors find that serious problems still plague these new democracies. Many of these problems are related to the political institutions, including political parties, the civil service, and the justice system. Part I introduces broad thematic surveys of such key issues as the role of the left, conservatism, inequality, and indigenous peoples. Part II reviews the South American nations. Part III focuses on Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, including Cuba. In Part IV, the volume editors draw conclusions about the problems and prospects for stable democracies in Latin America. In addition to the complete hardcover edition, "Constructing Democratic Governance" is available in three paperback volumes, each containing the introduction and conclusion from the complete editionand organized for convenient course use.

Author Biography

Jorge I. Dom+¡nguez is professor of government at the Center for International Affairs, Harvard University. He is co-editor of Democracy in the Caribbean: Political, Economic, and Social Perspectives, also available from Johns Hopkins. Abraham F. Lowenthal is professor of international relations at the University of Southern California and former executive director of the Inter-American Dialogue. His previous books include Exporting Democracy: The United States and Latin America and Partners in Conflict: The United States and Latin America in the 1990s, both available from Johns Hopkins

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix	(2)
Contributors	xi	(2)
Acronyms and Abbreviations	xiii
I Introduction: Constructing Democratic Governance	3
Abraham F. Lowenthal
Jorge I. Dominguez
II
1. Venezuela: The Rise and Fall of Partyarchy	3	(17)
Michael Coppedge
2. Colombia: Building Democracy in the Midst of Violence and Drugs	20	(22)
Harvey F. Kline
3. Ecuador: Democracy Standing the Test of Time?	42	(16)
Anita Isaacs
4. Peru: The Rupture of Democratic Rule	58	(14)
Susan Stokes
5. Bolivia: Managing Democracy in the 1990s	72	(27)
Eduardo A. Gamarra
6. Chile: The Political Underpinnings of Economic Liberalization	99	(19)
Timothy R. Scully, C.S.C.
7. Paraguay: Transition from Caudillo Rule	118	(15)
Diego Abente Brun
8. Uruguay: From Restoration to the Crisis of Governability	133	(14)
Juan Rial
9. Argentina: Democracy in Turmoil	147	(19)
Liliana De Riz
10. Brazil: The Hyperactive Paralysis Syndrome	166	(23)
Bolivar Lamounier
Notes to Part II	189	(26)
Index to Part II	215
III Conclusion: Parties, Institutions, and Market Reforms in Constructing Democracies	3
Jorge I. Dominguez
Jeanne Kinney Giraldo