Constructing Democratic Governance in Latin America: (An Inter-American Dialogue Book)

Since the first edition of this book was published in 1996, the democracies of Latin America and the Caribbean have undergone significant change. This one-volume edition offers a concise update to current scholarship in this important area of international studies. The book is divided into two parts: themes and issues, and country studies. Countries not covered by individual studies are discussed in the introduction, conclusion and thematic chapters. In the introduction, Michael Shifter provides an overview of new developments in Latin America and the Caribbean, with particular emphasis on civil society and problems of governance. The conclusion, by Jorge I. Dominguez, ties together the themes of the various chapters and discusses the role of parties and electoral politics.

Table of Contents:
Presidentialism and representative institutions / by John M. Carey -- The military / by Rut Diamint -- Market reforms / by Javier Corrales -- Latin American labor / by M. Victoria Murillo -- Women and democracy / by Mala N. Htun -- Public opinion by / Marta Lagos -- Venezuela : popular sovereignty vs. liberal democracy / by Michael Coppedge -- Colombia : the governability crisis / by Fernando Cepeda Ulloa -- Peru : the vanishing of a regime and the challenge of democratic rebuilding / by Carlos Iv an Degregori -- Argentina : from crisis to consolidation / by Steven Levitsky -- Brazil : an assessment of the Cardoso administration / by Bol ivar Lamounier -- Chile : unfinished transition and increased political competition / by Felipe Ageero -- Mexico : from PRI predominance to divided democracy / by Denise Dresser -- Constructing democratic governance in Latin America : taking stock of the 1990s / by Jorge I. Dominguez.

About the Author :
Jorge I. Dominguez is Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs and director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. He is the author of numerous books, including Democratic Politics in Latin America and the Caribbean, also available from Johns Hopkins. Michael Shifter is Vice President for Policy at the Inter-American Dialogue and adjunct professor of Latin American studies at Georgetown University. Michael Shifter is vice president for policy at the Inter-American Dialogue and adjunct professor of Latin American studies at Georgetown University.

Review :
"A fine text for a first course on Latin American politics." -- David G. Becker, International Journal "Takes a close look at the status of democratic regimes in Latin America and the Caribbean... A remarkable collaborative achievement and provides a quick, authoritative, and handy reference that will be invaluable to students." -- Foreign Affairs, reviewing the first edition "A fine text for a first course on Latin American politics." -- David G. Becker, International Journal "Takes a close look at the status of democratic regimes in Latin America and the Caribbean... A remarkable collaborative achievement and provides a quick, authoritative, and handy reference that will be invaluable to students." -- Foreign Affairs, reviewing the first edition