Preface -- Introduction: Notes on studying politics in Latin America -- An introduction to twenty-first century Latin America -- Early history -- Democracy and dictators : a historical overview from independence to the present day -- The other Americans -- Society, family, and gender -- Religion in Latin America -- The political economy of Latin America -- Democracy and authoritarianism : Latin American political culture -- Politics, power, institutions, and actors -- Struggling for change : revolution, social and political movements in Latin America -- U.S.-Latin American relations -- Mexico / Nora Hamilton -- Argentina / Aldo C. Vacs -- Brazil / Wilber Albert Chaffee -- Chile / Eduardo Silva -- Colombia / John C. Dugas -- Venezuela / Daniel Hellinger -- Bolivia / Waltraud Q. Morales -- Cuba / Gary Prevost -- Guatemala / Susanne Jonas -- Nicaragua / Gary Prevost and Harry E. Vanden -- Appendix 1: Presidential elections -- Appendix 2: Recent legislative elections.
Summary:
"Politics of Latin America, Fifth Edition explores both the evolution and the current state of the political scene in Latin America. This text demonstrates a nuanced sensitivity to the use and abuse of power and the importance of social conditions, gender, race, globalization, and political economy throughout Latin America. The first part of the text is composed of thematic chapters that outline the region's geographic setting, history, economics, society, gender, race, 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, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Bolivia. Each case study traces the historical and political development of key actors and institutions, analyzing contemporary power configurations. "-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.