"Although there has been a growing number of texts in the last few years addressing this complicated, enduring issue, few have been of the calibre or usefullness of this volume by Pinkney."—Canadian Journal of Development Studies

"An incisive and provocative work, at once historical and analytical.... a tour de force of comparative analysis.... This work presents an interesting challenge to democratic assumptions and to Western conceptions of human rights.... [Pinkney's] smoothly written narrative leaves the reader with a keener understanding of the complexity and fragility of democratic rule."—Journal of Third World Studies

"Contains an in-depth and rigorous analysis of the factors contributing to and militating against the transition to democracy in the third world.... It is surely an accessible resource for both undergraduate and graduate students."—Human Rights Quarterly

"Robert Pinkney has written a very intelligent book."—International Journal on World Peace

"A text to nurture budding political scientists."—Studies in Comparative International Development

"All students of politics should read this book."—Library Association Journal