The only text organized on a country-by-country basis that represents all Latin American countries, Latin American Politics and Development offers instructors maximum flexibility in organizing courses.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A valuable and readable introduction to the political systems, economies, and cultures of Latin America." -- Susan Kaufman Purcell, Latin American Program, Council on Foreign Relations
"This excellent time-tested text continues to be a lucid-and the best-single volume introduction to the complexities of Latin American politics." -- G. Pope Atkins, U.S. Naval Academy
"This is the outstanding textbook in comparative Latin American politics." -- Jorge I. Domnguez, Harvard University
"This excellent time-tested text continues to be a lucid-and the best-single volume introduction to the complexities of Latin American politics." -- G. Pope Atkins, U.S. Naval Academy
"This is the outstanding textbook in comparative Latin American politics." -- Jorge I. Domnguez, Harvard University
About the Author
Howard J. Wiarda is Dean Rusk Professor of International Relations and head of the Department of International Affairs at the University of Georgia, and Senior Scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. He is la member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the author or editor of numerous Westview books including An Introduction to Latin American Politics and Development (with Harvey Kline) and Civil Society: The American Model and Third World Development. He is also a contributing co-editor (with Harvey Kline) of Latin American Politics and Development, Sixth Edition (2007, Westview). Harvey Kline is professor of Political Science at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. He is a member of the Inter-American Dialogue and the author of Colombia: Democracy under Assault, Second Edition (1995, Westview), An Introduction to Latin American Politics and Development, Second Edition (with Howard J. Wiarda), and Latin American Politics and Development, Sixth Edition (with Howard J. Wiarda).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is simply the best compilation of political profiles of Latin American countries. It is NOT guided by Wiarda's philosophy, as one would infer from a posted comment here. This collection is written by several authors, leading specialists for each individual country. The array could not be more eclectic. I had the privilege of being both a student of Wiarda's and another contributor in this collection. And I can tell you, unequivocally, that their perspectives on South American politics are quite different. One being more of a pessimist (Wiarda) insofar the historical, immutable traditions that have entrenched itself in Latin America and the other being an optimist, who has great faith in low politics, the transformation at the grass-roots level (informal politics) and who spends much time abroad doing just that virtually every year. You simply cannot put this textbook in the same class as Hunt (who indeed works one major theme throughout his work) or with other authors who have produced far better scholarship than Hunt AND who approach US-Latin American foreign policy (which incidentally, Wiarda/Kline's book is NOT about foreign policy but intended for comparative politics, so it really should not be compared to Hunt, nevertheless...) such as Schoultz and Carothers. But on the comparative politics note, this book simply surpasses an often-assigned textbook by Skidmore/Smith in both content and style. Look elsewhere in vain; this is the best compilation book you are going to find in the market.
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Despite his considerable knowledge on the subject of latin american affairs, one must remember that Mr. Wiarda himself has been involved as a D.C. insider, advising multiple administrations and normally favoring the right-wing, "top-down" style of democracy (read, sub-fascism) that is friendly to U.S. business interests. Consider also how he justifies this approach: while U.S. citizens normally favor a kind of Lockean form of government, by their very culture latin americans are more Rousseau-esque, in that they require a strong Leader to look up to. (Somehow it never occurs to people who are backing fascists that it might be that the Lack of a more open, "lockean" government is what contributes to the instability and insurection that they are trying to crush.) Considering that this is the kind of ideology that has infected U.S. foreign policy towards our southern neighbors for more than one hundred years (see Hunt, "Ideology and US Foreign Policy"), it might actually be a good read, if only to get a better understanding of how such supposedly intelligent and well-meaning people can make and justify such terrible decisions; however, if you want the truth about latin america, look else-where.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Wiarda and Kline have done an outstanding job of drawing together comprehensive, compact histories of Latin American countries. Moreover, in their introduction they have encapsulated and explained most of the historical forces that still affect and shape Latin America up to the present day. This book is for anyone, whether casual reader or serious student, who wants to understand Latin America as a whole, or any country in Latin America in particular.
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