Includes bibliographical references (pages 191-226) and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- Rethinking democratic backsliding -- The worst economic crisis outside of war -- Rising oppostion -- Rising autocracy -- Comparisons -- Function fusion -- Conclusion.
Summary:
"An alarming number of countries that once were seemingly stable democracies have veered in recent years toward authoritarianism, a trend known as "democratic backsliding." One of those countries in Venezuela, which enjoyed periods of democratically elected governments in the latter half of the twentieth century but in the past two decades has increasingly descended into autocratic rule, coupled with economic collapse. Written by a veteran scholar of Venezuela and Latin American politics, Corrales generally explores how and why this happened. He argues that Venezuela's slide began with the policies of former president Hugo Chávez, policies that were based on government control of the economy and in turn generated a lingering economic crisis. After he succeeded Chávez in 2013, Nicolás Maduro not only entrenched the failed economic policies but also responded to various crises by establishing institutions that further undermined democracy. Corrales analyzes the lingering crisis in Venezuela by comparing it to twenty cases in Latin America where presidents were forced out of office. Regardless of how the current situation ends in Venezuela, this book illuminates the depressing cycle in which semi-authoritarian regimes become increasingly autocratic in response to crises, only to cause new crises that led to even greater authoritarianism"-- 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.