Eduardo Aleman 
Latin American Politics [PDF ebook] 

While it is true that poverty, political instability, and economic under-performance continue to be major problems in Latin America, the region has made substantial progress in raising standards of living and overcoming military authoritarianism.
Latin American Politics reflects just how much the region has changed in the last two decades. Eduardo Alemán draws on contemporary research in comparative studies on institutions, elections, and public opinion to highlight the big questions that political scientists seek to answer today: What are the causes of political instability? What factors have influenced changes in economic and gender inequality? What are the implications of different political institutions for political outcomes?

Table des matières

List of Figures

List of Tables

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Part I – Background

Chapter 1: Colonial Legacy and the Post-Independence Period

Colonial Latin America

Independence and the Struggle for Political Order

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Chapter 2: Political Regimes and Democratic Stability

What is Democracy?

Regime Transitions and Democratic Survival

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Chapter 3: Guerrillas and Revolutions

Guerrilla Movements in Latin America

The Cuban Revolution

The Nicaraguan Revolution

Failed Revolutions in El Salvador and Guatemala

Guerrillas and the Peace Process in Colombia

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Chapter 4: U.S.–Latin American Relations

The Cold War

The Aftermath of the Cold War

The Early 21st Century

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Part II – Institutions

Chapter 5: Latin American Presidentialism

Presidentialism and Its Critique

Constitutional Variations in Latin American Presidentialism

Differences between U.S. and Latin American Presidentialism

Presidential Instability

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Chapter 6: Legislatures in Latin America

The Legislative Branch

Organization

Legislative Voting Behavior

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Chapter 7: Elections and Electoral Rules

Suffrage Extensions

Compulsory Voting

Rules for Electing Presidents

Rules for Electing Members of Congress

The Consequences of Congressional Electoral Rules

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Chapter 8: The Judiciary

Judicial Independence

Judicial Authority

Perceptions of the Judiciary

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Part III – Political Attitudes, Policies, and Outcomes

Chapter 9: Political Culture

Support for Democracy

Confidence in Institutions and Interpersonal Trust

Ideological Positions

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Chapter 10: Corruption

Corruption

Efforts to Combat Corruption

Measuring Corruption

Corruption Scandals

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Chapter 11: Civil Liberties and Press Freedom

What Are Civil Liberties?

The Right to Life and Liberty

Free Expression, Peaceful Assembly, and Religious Freedom

Press Freedom

Property Rights

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Chapter 12: Income Inequality, Poverty, and the Gender Gap

Income Inequality

The Gender Gap

Conclusions

Key Terms

Bibliographic Recommendations

Web Resources

Glossary

Notes

Index

A propos de l’auteur

Eduardo Alemán is an associate professor of political science at the University of Houston. Professor Alemán teaches courses in comparative politics, political institutions, and Latin American politics. He specializes in the comparative analysis of political institutions and the politics of Latin America. Professor Alemán has published numerous articles in such journals as World Politics, Comparative Politics, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Latin American Politics and Society, and Latin American Research Review. He is also the co-editor of the book, Legislative Institutions and Lawmaking in Latin America (2016), with George Tsebelis.