Description
Book SynopsisIn this study of the politics of economic reform, Javier Corrales argues that the key struggle is between the executive and the ruling party. He puts this argument to the test by examining closely the events in Argentina and Venezuela during the 1990s.
Trade Review“In Presidents Without Parties, Javier Corrales makes a significant contribution to the growing literature on the comparative political economy of state and market reform. . . . By weaving together arguments from the political science literature on parties and executives with analytical perspectives drawn from rational choice and public choice approaches, this book is ‘controversial’ in the best sense by challenging much of the conventional wisdom and scholarship on the politics of economic reform.”
—William C. Smith,University of Miami
“This book represents the field of comparative politics at its very best. Javier Corrales argues compellingly that the nature of Executive-ruling party relations is key to understanding the sustainability of market reforms in middle-income developing countries—an insight that has been steadily borne out over the past few years in Latin America. Perhaps most impressive is the amount of original thinking and fieldwork research that went into this project. The book is a welcome addition to any reading list for courses in economic development, comparative politics, and Latin American studies.”
—Carol Wise,University of Southern California
“This book will be a required reference for anyone interested in how reform programs are adopted—or rejected—in Latin America. Venezuela and Argentina are fascinating and troubling cases of the political dilemmas faced by presidents in the ebb and flow of political and economic processes.”
—Janet Kelly,Caracas, Venezuela
“By focusing on the relationship between the executive branch and the ruling political party, Corrales provides an interesting and ambitious explanation for the recent institutional demise of the two nations. While the details of this relationship differ for Argentina and Venezuela, the overall thesis which Corrales advances is very appealing. . . . Corrales's views do justice to Latin America’s complexity—a complexity which, sadly, is frequently misinterpreted or ignored. . . . He presents an important model for understanding the crisis of governability in Latin America. This is no small feat.”
—Leo Zaibert Times Literary Supplement
“Corrales does a good job of explaining several ways in which executive party relations influence reform dynamics.”
—C. H. Blake CHOICE
“The publication of Javier Corrales’s excellent book is very timely.
In Presidents Without Parties, Javier Corrales has provided an excellent analysis of the distinct outcome of economic reform efforts in Argentina and Venezuela.”
—Mark P. Jones Perspectives on Politics
“This is an excellent book. On occasion it is a bit ostentatiously academic and that might put off undergraduates; but, graduate students and their mentors should find it a valuable contribution to our understanding of modern Latin America.”
—Joseph Tulchin E.I.A.L.
“All scholars working on the topic of policy reform should read this outstanding book, as should all students of Argentina and Venezuelan politics and economics.”
—William C. Smith Perspectives on Politics
