Politics of Latin America The Power Game

by Vanden, Harry E.; Prevost, Gary

• ISBN13: 9780195188080
• ISBN10: 019518808X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-27
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Politics of Latin America, Second Edition, explores both the evolution and the current state of the political scene in Latin America. Distinguishing itself from more traditional works on Latin American politics, this text demonstrates a nuanced sensitivity to the use and abuse of power and the importance of social conditions, gender, race, globalization, and political economy. The first section of the book presents relevant information about the region's geographic setting, history, economics, society, people, and religion, setting the stage for a more detailed analysis of the politics, democratization, political culture, political movements, and revolution in Latin America. The second part of the book consists of carefully constructed case studies of nine representative Latin American nations: Guatemala (Susanne Jonas), Mexico (Nora Hamilton), Cuba (Prevost), Brazil (Wilber Albert Chaffee), Argentina (Aldo C. Vacs), Chile (Eduardo Silva), Venezuela (Daniel Hellinger), Colombia (John C. Dugas), and Nicaragua (Prevost and Vanden). Each case study traces the historical development of key political actors and institutions, analyzing contemporary power configurations. Keeping pace with the rapidly changing events in each country, this expanded second edition provides fresh material throughout, including more information on interamerican relations and the successes and failures of democracy in Latin America. Along with two entirely new chapters on Venezuela and Colombia, it also features sections that thoroughly discuss democratic versus authoritarian political culture, the role of the United States, and the power game in Latin America. The thematic chapters offer updated background analyses--including a discussion of the 2002-2005 electoral triumphs of several presidents who were critical of the neo-liberal agenda, the new movements that have deposed presidents--and additional sections on U.S.-Latin American relations. Incorporating maps, tables, chronologies, bibliographies and clear indications of key players, Politics of Latin America, Second Edition, is indispensable for students and other readers wishing to gain a deeper understanding of this complex, dynamic, and rapidly changing region of the world.

Table of Contents

Maps and Tables	vi
Frequently Cited Acronyms	viii
Preface to the Second Edition	x
Preface to the First Edition	xii
Introduction: Notes on Studying Politics in Latin America	xiv
An Introduction to Latin America in the Twenty-First Century	1	(17)
Early History	18	(24)
Democracy, Dictators, and Tio Sam: A Historical Overview from Independence to the Present Day	42	(39)
The Other Americans	81	(23)
Society, Family, and Gender	104	(22)
Religion in Latin America	126	(19)
The Political Economy of Latin America	145	(30)
Democracy and Authoritarianism: Latin American Political Culture	175	(10)
Politics, Power, Institutions, and Actors	185	(51)
Revolution and Change in Latin America	236	(28)
Guatemala	264	(32)
Susanne Jonas
Mexico	296	(40)
Nora Hamilton
Cuba	336	(32)
Gary Prevost
Brazil	368	(28)
Wilber Albert Chaffee
Argentina	396	(36)
Aldo C. Vacs
Chile	432	(36)
Eduardo Silva
Venezuela	468	(28)
Daniel Hellinger
Colombia	496	(30)
John C. Dugas
Nicaragua	526	(34)
Gary Prevost
Harry E. Vanden
Appendix 1 Presidential Elections	560	(9)
Appendix 2 Recent Legislative Elections	569	(9)
Authors and Contributors	578	(3)
Index	581