Contemporary Latin America 1970 to the Present [Hardcover]

• Provides a fresh approach and a new interpretation of the seismic changes of the last 40 years in Latin America
• Introduces major themes from a humanistic and universal perspective, putting each subject in a context that readers can understand and relate to
• Focuses on ‘Ibero-America'--Brazil and the eighteen countries that were formerly Spanish possessions- while offering valuable comparative views of the non-Iberian areas of the Caribbean
• Emphasizes the global, regional and national dimensions of the region's recent past

Series Editor’s Preface viii

Acknowledgments x

Part I Latin America in a World Setting 1

Introduction 3

1 What Is Latin America? 5

2 Beliefs 20

Part II Government 41

Introduction 43

3 The Demise of Social Revolution 48

4 The Armed Forces Bow to Civilian Rule 67

5 The Turning toward Democracy 97

6 Religion, Politics and the State 113

7 Lawless Violence, Impunity and the Democratic Transition 127

Part III Wealth 143

Introduction 145

8 The Challenge of Sustained Growth 148

9 Poor Countries, Rich Countries 161

10 Agonies of Underdevelopment 185

Part IV Culture 207