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Presidents and Democracy in Latin America

Presidents and Democracy in Latin America

by JeanBlondel (Editor), Jean-LouisThiébault (Editor), Manuel Alcántara (Editor)

  • New

    Paperback 2017

    $56.86
Synopsis

This new textbook provides students with a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the presidents and presidential leadership in Latin America. Unlike other texts, Presidents and Democracy in Latin America integrates both political analysis and major theoretical perspectives with extensive country-specific material.

Part One examines the developments in recent years in Latin American presidentialism and identifies different characteristics of society and politics which have influenced Latin American governments. The personalization of political life and of presidential government help to illustrate the character of Latin American politics, specifically on the type of political career of those who occupied the presidential office, the leadership style of these presidents and the type of government which they led.

Part Two studies two presidents in each of six countries in the region which reflect the broad trends in the political and electoral life: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Each case study first provides the biographical background of the president; it outlines the political career of the president both inside and outside of a party, including at the local level; the popularity of the president at the time of the presidential election is given, as well as the mode of selection of the candidates (selection by party leaders only, by party members or by a primary). The relation of the president with the government or ministers, especially if there is a coalition government, is detailed.

This textbook will be essential reading for all students of Latin American Politics and is highly recommended for those studying executive politics, political leadership, and the state of democratic governance in Latin America.

$56.86

Quantity

10 in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
 Pages: 312
 Edition: 1
 Publisher: Routledge
Published: 21 Sep 2017
ISBN 10: 1138082090
ISBN 13: 9781138082090

Media Reviews

'Presidents and Democracy in Latin America is a timely and extremely relevant contribution to the study of the region's politics and systems of government. Precisely because it focuses on the leadership styles of chief executives, the political cycles under which they rise to power, their personalities, ideological leanings, career paths and social background, as well as the way in which all of these factors impact governments, this book breaks new ground in scholarly research on presidentialism. Authored by stellar European comparativists and Latin American country experts, the chapters of this edited volume offer key insights into some of the most pressing issues of contemporary politics.' - Octavio Amorim Neto, Associate Professor, Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration

'Written by renowned specialists and country experts, Presidents and Democracy in Latin America appropriately acknowledges the equal importance of political institutions, governmental constructions, and leadership traits in shaping political processes and policy decisions in contemporary Latin America. The authors analyze three decades of unprecedented democratic continuity in the region, where established presidential institutions alternatively coexist with a great deal of political innovation and long-term traditions of strong personal rule. Presidents and Democracy in Latin America represents a groundbreaking contribution to the study of presidentialism in Latin America.' - Mariana Llanos, Lead Research Fellow at GIGA Institute of Latin American Studies

Author Bio
Manuel Alcantara is a Full Professor at the University of Salamanca and currently Director of FLACSO Spain. His field research concerns parliament elites in Latin America, parliamentary performance in Latin America, and democracy and elections in Latin America. His most recent books include El oficio de politico (2012) and Sistemas Politicos de America Latina (2013, 4th edition) and, as editor, Procesos politicos y electorales en America Latina (2010-2013) (2013) and Seleccion de candidatos y elaboracion de programas en los partidos politicos latinoamericanos (2013). Jean Blondel is a Professor at European University Institute, Florence, Italy. He became a Professor of Political Science at the EUI in 1985 and was an External Professor from 1994 to 2000. Prof. Blondel set up the Department of Government at the University of Essex in 1964 and co-founded the European Consortium of Political Research. He was the winner of the Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science for 2004. He has been awarded honoris causa doctorates from the University of Salford, the University of Essex, the University of Louvain-la-Neuve, the University of Turku, the University of Macerata (2007), and the University of Siena (2008). Jean-Louis Thiebault is Professor Emeritus and former Director (1997-2007) at the Institute of Political Studies, Lille, France. He has co-edited with Jean Blondel, The Profession of Government Minister in Western Europe (1991); with Gerard Marcou, La decision gouvernementale en Europe (Belgique, Danemark, France, Pays-Bas et Royaume-Uni) (1996); with Gerard Marcou and Francois Rangeon, La cooperation contractuelle et le gouvernement des villes (1997); and with Jean Blondel, Political leadership, parties and citizens: The personalisation of leadership (2009). He has also published 'Book review: Alain Rouquie, A l'ombre des dictatures. La democratie en Amerique Latine', Etudes Internationales, XLI(3), 2010, 413-415; 'Des economies emergentes ou des marches emergents: le developpement politique avec ou sans la democratie', Revue Internationale de Politique Comparee, 18(1), 2011, 9-52; and 'Comment les pays emergents se sont-ils developpes economiquement?', Revue Internationale de Politique Comparee, 18(3), 2011, 11-46.