Problems and Alternatives in the Modern Americas: (Routledge Studies in the History of the Americas)

This volume explores several notable themes related to political processes in Latin America and offers insightful historical perspectives to understand national, regional, and global issues in the continent from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. The collected essays focus on Latin American politics such as: political cycles, left-wing political parties, nationalism, progressivism, crime and resistance, violence, authoritarianism, and relationships with the United States, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay. The perspectives of the chapters presented an attempt to seek lines of continuity by highlighting traditional interpretations of new scenarios and refusing to impose a traditional and uncritical linear historical narrative. The fundamental objective of the volume is to provide a rational and critical political-historical explanation of Latin America since the early 20th century with the purpose, among others, of deepening understanding of the present.

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Political Cycles During the Last Four Decades in Latin America 2. The Transnational Activity of Left-Wing Political Parties in the Processes of Democratization of the Third Wave in Latin America 3. Evolution of Nationalism in Latin America in the Context of Globalization 4. The United States, Democracy, and Authoritarianism in Latin America 5. Latin American Progressivism Between the Structural Crisis and the Pandemic 6. Bandits, Urban Guerrillas, and Criminal Insurgents: Crime and Resistance in Latin America 7. History of the Present Time and Latin America: An Overview of Declassified Historical Documents 8. Operation Condor Today: Novel Insights from Recent Archival Disclosures and Judicial Processes 9. Repression and Resistance in South America: South American Democracy in the 1990s 10. The Foreign Policy Assertiveness of the Latin American Petro-State: Venezuela’s Enduring Patterns 11. Political Conflicts and Left-Wing Shift in Chile: Historical Development of the Partisan Competition Space 12. Authoritarian Caudillismo and Social Movements in Ecuador (2007–2017) 13. The Political History of Brazil and Venezuela: A Struggle Between Democracy and Authoritarianism 14. The Legitimacy of Violence in Colombia's Recent History and the End of the Armed Struggle, 1950–2016 15. Dictatorship, Transition and Democracy in Paraguay (1954–2019)

About the Author :
Pablo A. Baisotti is currently a research assistant at the Department of Latin American Studies (ELA) at the University of Brasilia.