Description
Book SynopsisContemporary Latin America presents the epochal political, economic, social, and cultural changes in Latin America over the last 40 years and comprehensively examines their impact on life in the region, and beyond.
- Provides a fresh approach and a new interpretation of the seismic changes of the last 40 years in Latin America
- Introduces major themes from a humanistic and universal perspective, putting each subject in a context that readers can understand and relate to
- Focuses on Ibero-America''--Brazil and the eighteen countries that were formerly Spanish possessions- while offering valuable comparative views of the non-Iberian areas of the Caribbean
- Emphasizes the global, regional and national dimensions of the region''s recent past
Trade Review"Summing up: Recommended. General readers and undergraduate students." -CHOICE, November 2013
Table of ContentsList of Maps, Figures and Tables vii
Series Editor’s Preface viii
Acknowledgments x
Part I Latin America in a World Setting 1
Introduction 3
1 What Is Latin America? 5
2 Beliefs 20
Part II Government 41
Introduction 43
3 The Demise of Social Revolution 48
4 The Armed Forces Bow to Civilian Rule 67
5 The Turning toward Democracy 97
6 Religion, Politics and the State 113
7 Lawless Violence, Impunity and the Democratic Transition 127
Part III Wealth 143
Introduction 145
8 The Challenge of Sustained Growth 148
9 Poor Countries, Rich Countries 161
10 Agonies of Underdevelopment 185
Part IV Culture 207
Introduction 209
11 Education 211
12 Research and Communications 225
13 Literature and the Visual Arts 249
14 Cinema and Sports 263
Part V Communities 275
Introduction 277
15 The Family, Women and Sexuality 281
16 Indigenous Peoples and Their Movements 304
17 Toward a Latin American Community of Nations? 322
Sources Consulted 332
Index 342
