Description
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewVoice and Inequality makes an exceptionally compelling case for how robust institutions, and not individuals or ideology, are what is critical to reduce gaps in political participation between the rich and the poor. This is a deeply informative book for scholars of Latin American politics. And it makes a significant and original contribution to research on political behavior, inequality, and democracy. * Elizabeth J. Zechmeister, Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science and Director, LAPOP Lab, Vanderbilt University *
Voice and Equality illuminates a fundamental challenge facing many democracies - how the marginalized can sometimes overcome barriers to political participation and gain voice in the democratic process. Through extensive analysis of public opinion surveys from across Latin America, Boulding and Holzner show that despite persistent poverty and inequality the region's poorest citizens often participate as much as their less impoverished neighbors, especially where civic and partisan organizations as well as democratic institutions help the poor overcome the many structural obstacles they face. * Jana Morgan, Professor of Political Science, University of Tennessee *
Theoretically compelling, lucidly written manuscript. * Mason Moseley, West Virginia University *
Table of ContentsDedication Acknowledgments List of Tables and Figures 1. Democracy, Political Participation, and Latin America's Poorest Citizens 2. What Shapes Political Participation of the Poorest Citizens? 3. Patterns and Puzzles 4. Community Organizations and Mobilization from Below 5. Political Parties and Electoral Competition 6. Inclusion and Exclusion During the Left Turn 7. Quality of Democracy 8. Conclusion Appendices References
