Politics of Latin America The Power Game

Now in its sixth edition, Politics of Latin America: The Power Game explores both the evolution and the current state of the political scene in Latin America. This text demonstrates a nuanced sensitivity to the use and abuse of power and the importance of social conditions, gender, race, globalization, and political economy throughout the region. It is uniquely divided into two parts: one that treats big-picture, thematic questions, and one that focuses on particular countries through case studies of ten representative nations: Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Bolivia.

Harry Vanden is Professor of Political Science and International Studies at the University of South Florida.

Gary Prevost is Professor of Political Science at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict.

Maps and Frequently Cited Acronyms

List of Tables and Figures

Preface

Introduction: Notes on Studying Politics in Latin America

1 An Introduction to Twenty-First Century Latin America

2 Early History

3 Democracy and Dictators: A Historical Overview from Independence to the Present Day

4 The Other Americans

5 Society, Family, and Gender

6 Religion in Latin America

7 The Political Economy of Latin America

8 Democracy and Authoritarianism: Latin American Political Culture

9 Politics, Power, Institutions, and Actors

10 Struggling for Change: Revolution, Social and Political Movements in Latin America

11 U.S.-Latin American Relations

12 Mexico
Nora Hamilton

13 Argentina
Aldo C. Vacs

14 Brazil
Wilber Albert Chaffee

15 Chile
Eduardo Silva

16 Colombia
John C. Dugas

17 Venezuela
Daniel Hellinger

18 Bolivia
Waltraud Q. Morales

19 Cuba
Gary Prevost

20 Guatemala
Susanne Jonas

21 Nicaragua
Gary Prevost and Harry E. Vanden

Appendix 1 Presidential Elections

Appendix 2 Recent Legislative Elections

Authors and Contributors

Index