Politics of Latin America The Power Game

by Vanden, Harry E.; Prevost, Gary

• ISBN13: 9780195339987
• ISBN10: 0195339983
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-08-25
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Politics of Latin America, 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 ofsocial 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 ten representative Latin American nations: Guatemala (Susanne Jonas), Mexico (Nora Hamilton), Cuba (Prevost), Brazil (Wilber AlbertChaffee), Argentina (Aldo C. Vacs), Chile (Eduardo Silva), Venezuela (Daniel Hellinger), Colombia (John C. Dugas), and Nicaragua (Prevost and Vanden), and new to this edition: Bolivia (Waltarud Morales). Each case study traces the historical development of key political actors and institutions,analyzing contemporary power configurations.

Table of Contents

Maps and Tables	p. ix
Frequently Cited Acronyms	p. xi
Preface to the Third Edition	p. xiv
Preface to the First Edition	p. xvi
Introduction: Notes on Studying Politics in Latin America	p. xviii
An Introduction to Twenty-First Century Latin America	p. 1
Early History	p. 18
Democracy, Dictators, and Tio Sam: A Historical Overview from Independence to the Present Day	p. 41
The Other Americans	p. 80
Society, Family, and Gender	p. 103
Religion in Latin America	p. 130
The Political Economy of Latin America	p. 149
Democracy and Authoritarianism: Latin American Political Culture	p. 180
Politics, Power, Institutions, and Actors	p. 190
Struggling for Change: Revolution, Social and Political Movements in Latin America	p. 239
Guatemala	p. 268
Mexico	p. 300
Cuba	p. 338
Brazil	p. 368
Argentina	p. 394
Chile	p. 430
Venezuela	p. 462
Colombia	p. 494
Nicaragua	p. 524
Bolivia	p. 556
Presidential Elections	p. 589
Recent Legislative Elections	p. 598
Authors and Contributors	p. 607
Index	p. 611
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