Latin American Democracy Emerging Reality or Endangered Species [Paperback]

More than thirty years have passed since Latin America began the arduous task of transitioning from military-led rule to democracy. In this time, more countries have moved toward the institutional bases of democracy than at any time in the regions history. Nearly all countries have held free, competitive elections and most have had peaceful alternations in power between opposing political forces. Despite these advances, however, Latin American countries continue to face serious domestic and international challenges to the consolidation of stable democratic governance. The challenges range from weak political institutions, corruption, legacies of militarism, transnational crime, and globalization among others.

In the second edition of Latin American Democracycontributors  both academics and practitioners, North Americans, Latin Americans, and Spaniardsexplore and assess the state of democratic consolidation in Latin America by focusing on the specific issues and challenges confronting democratic governance in the region. This thoroughly updated revision provides new chapters on:

• the environment,
• decentralization,
• the economy,
• indigenous groups,
• and the role of China in the region.

1. Introduction: Democracy in Latin America: Promises and Perils, Richard Millett Section One: The State of Latin American Democracy2. Democratic Consolidation in Latin America? Jennifer S. Holmes3. Measuring Democratic Political Culture in Latin America, Orlando P?rez 4. Latin American Democracy: The View from the South. The United States and the OAS: What Frustrates the Americans? John Maisto5.Latin American Democracy: The View from the South, Francisco Rojasló5