Readings in Latin American Politics—Challenges to Democratization

A unique combination of two major approaches, this reader is separated into two parts. Part I focuses on four central themes: democratization, economic development, social policy, and changing political actors. Each chapter in this follows a debate format, with complementary readings. Part II features six chapters focusing on particular countries or regions within Latin America, examining how the central themes discussed in Part I play out in each particular case.

• Articles on daily life in Latin American countries or regions provide immediacy and contextual details that more scholarly articles often lack. Each country chapter also includes one article from a more popular source native to that country, further familiarizing students with day-to-day life and contemporary culture.