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Democracy in Developing Countries: Latin America, 2nd Edition

Larry Diamond, Jonathan Hartlyn, Juan J. Linz, and Seymour Martin Lipset, editors
 
ISBN: 978-1-55587-798-9
$28.50
1999/594 pages/LC: 99-24155

From the reviews of the 1st edition:

"A thoughtful, well-constructed volume, comprehensive in terms of the countries it covers, combining a high level of theoretical analysis with detailed, well-sustained empirical case studies."—Peter Flynn

"This first-rate volume renews with academic rigor the search for coherence in the field of comparative politics, and it provides an analytical survey of current Latin American politics. Both tasks are furthered by clear writing and full citation."—Choice

DESCRIPTION

Extensively revised since the first edition was published in 1989, this analytically balanced and empirically rich volume thoroughly examines the historical, cultural, social, economic, political, and international factors that affect both the prospects for and the nature of political democracy in Latin America.

The book reflects improvements in democratic trends in some countries, but also the erosion of democratic advances in others, with substantial malaise regarding key political actors and institutions and continuing concerns about the impact on democratic consolidation of economic constraints, weak states, judicial inefficacy, and high degrees of inequality. A comprehensive introduction precedes the nine country chapters, which follow a similar format to facilitate comparisons.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Larry Diamond is senior research fellow at the Hoover Institution. Jonathan Hartlyn is Kenneth J. Reckford Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The late Juan J. Linz was Sterling Professor of Political and Social Science at Yale University. His work on authoritarianism, the breakdown of democratic regimes, and transitions to democracy had a wide-ranging impact not only on scholarship, but also in the world of politics. Seymour Martin Lipset holds the Hazel Chair of Public Policy at George Mason University.

CONTENTS

  • Introduction: Politics, Society, and Democracy in Latin America—L. Diamond, J. Hartlyn, and J. Linz.
  • Argentina—C.H. Waisman.
  • Brazil—B. Lamounier.
  • Chile—A. Valenzuela.
  • Colombia—J. Hartlyn and J. Dugas.
  • Peru—C. McClintock.
  • Venezuela—D.H. Levine and B. Crisp.
  • Costa Rica—J. Booth.
  • The Dominican Republic—R. Espinal and J.Hartlyn.
  • Mexico—D.C. Levy and K. Bruhn.