Democracy in Latin America: Political Change in Comparative Perspective

by Peter H. Smith

Book Overview

Thoroughly updated in its second edition, Democracy in Latin America provides an in-depth and accessible survey of processes of democratization in Latin America from 1900 to the present. In clear and jargon-free prose, acclaimed author Peter H. Smith examines the origins and evolution of democracy in Latin America; the adoption and reform of electoral institutions; the policy performance of contemporary democracies; the political representation of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195387732
• ISBN13: 9780195387735
• Release Date: September 2011
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 9.1" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

studies a continent-wide trend

Across a diversity of countries, Smith explains a sea change in Latin America since the 1960s. Now, most are democracies, however flawed. Whereas previously, there had been several military dictatorships, and a cycle of elected governments being replaced or ousted by the military. The attention given to each country is necessarily abbreviated, given the space constraints of the text. But he gives enough detail to explain the salient events. Also, by comparing trends throughout the region, he demonstrates that there was a mutually reinforcing aspect. Where now it is considered strongly inappropriate for a nation's generals to take power.