Comparative Politics of Latin America: Democracy at Last?
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ISBN: 0415889170 / Publisher: Routledge, February 2011
Hellinger (political science, Webster U.) offers an introduction to Latin American politics, addressing, as his central theme, the strengths and weaknesses of democracy as interrogated by the field of comparative politics. Along the way, he discusses definitions of democracy; the social and cultural context of Latin American politics; historical background; theories of development and mass politics; instances of democratic breakdown and military rule; issues of nationalism and revolution; social class and politics; parties and electoral politics; institutions and governance; corruption, human rights, and the rule of law; and globalization and the role of the United States in the region; Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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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" interspersed in chapters to ensure 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.
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