The Paradox of Democracy in Latin America

Despite decades of struggle to install electoral democracies in place of dictatorships, democracy-as a political system-is experiencing declining support in Latin America, and support for authoritarianism is on the rise. In exploring this tension, The Paradox of Democracy in Latin America demonstrates the deep divisions between rulers and ruled that undermine democratic processes, institutions, and norms. Opening chapters provide readers with a theoretical and conceptual lens through which to examine the ten case studies, which focus on Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Book jacket.

Katherine Isbester, a former Adjunct Political Science Professor at the University of Toronto, is now an independent scholar in London, England.