Latin American Politics and Development

Covers all Latin American countries and provides a superb introduction to the area as a whole.

Latin American Politics and Development is the leading textbook in its field over the past 20 years. The only text organized on a country-by-country basis that represents all Latin American countries, it thus offers instructors maximum flexibility in organizing courses. Furthermore, each of its chapters is written by a well-known specialist. The Fifth Edition is thoroughly revised and updated for enhanced coverage of topical issues, including women's and indigenous social movements, the consolidation of democracy, and the political consequences of economic regionalism (such as NAFTA and MERCOSUR).

The Fifth Edition of this highly regarded text has been thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the complex political and economic developments that have occured in Latin America over the past five years. The revision includes new introductory and concluding chapters, several chapters by authors new to the volume, and updated chapters on each country in the region.

Wiarda and Kline emphasize the trend toward democratization, and democracy's problems, as the organizing theme of the book, covering pressing issues such as economic reform, globalization, political unrest, and the international drug trade. Wiarda and Kline organize their analysis around Latin America's distinct background and position in world politics and the world economy. They also describe patterns of political development, the dynamics of political behavior, institutions and public policy, and the constant tension between those who favor a political regime in keeping with the authoritarian past, and those who prefer a Latin American version of democracy.