Comparative politics of Latin America : democracy at last? / Daniel C. Hellinger.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Latin American studies and the comparative study of democracy -- Conceptions of democracy -- Inequality, political culture, and popular sovereignty -- Democratic and autocratic threads in Latin American history -- Political without economic independence -- Development and dependency: theory and practice in Latin America -- Populism, development, and democracy in the twentieth century -- Democratic breakdown and military rule -- State and market in Latin America -- Transitions and "pacted" democracies in Brazil and the Southern Cone -- Transitions from party-dominant regimes in Mexico and Venezuela -- Nationalism and revolution in Mexico and Cuba -- Democracy in times of revolution -- Social class and politics in Latin America -- "New" social movements, new politics? -- Parties and electoral politics -- Institutions, constitutions, and governance -- Corruption, human rights, and the rule of law -- Democracy in times of globalization -- Democracy, intervention, and American foreign policy -- Conclusion: Tentative answers to frequently asked questions about democracy in Latin America.

This text offers a unique balance of comparative politics theory and interdisciplinary country-specific context, of a thematic organization and in-depth country case studies, of culture and economics, of scholarship and pedagogy. No other textbook draws on such a diverse range of scholarly literature to help students understand the ins and outs of politics in Latin America today. The insightful historical background in early chapters provides students with a way to think about how the past influences the present. However, while history plays a part in this text, comparative politics is the primary focus, explaining through detailed case studies and carefully paced analysis such concepts as democratic breakdown and transition, formal and informal institutions, the rule of law, and the impact of globalization. Concepts and theories from comparative politics are well integrated into country-specific narratives and vice versa, leading to a richer understanding of both. Several important pedagogical aids foster student learning: Learning objectives at the start of every chapter "Learning checkpoints" at the end of each section to insure comprehension Bolded key terms focus attention on important concepts Glossary at the end of the book provides a useful reference Discussion questions at the end of each chapter Integrated case studies on most countries in the region A companion website with practice quizzes and other useful study aids.