After Neoliberalism?: The Left and Economic Reforms in Latin America - Softcover

Flores-Macias, Gustavo A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199891672 ISBN 13: 9780199891672

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2012

Synopsis

The political trajectory of Latin America in the last decade has been remarkable. The left, which had been given up for dead across the region, swept into power in numerous countries: Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and even Chile. Moreover, the Mexican left, which lost an extremely close (and disputed) election a couple of years ago, may yet come to power in 2012. Once these left governments took the reins of power, though, they acted very differently. Some have been truly radical, while others have been moderate. Gustavo Flores-Macías' After Neoliberalism? offers the first systemic explanation of why left-wing governments across the region have acted in the way that they have. His theory hinges on party systems. Deeply institutionalized, stable party systems have forestalled radical change regardless of the governing party's philosophy, but states with weakly institutionalized party systems have opened the door for more radical reform. Evo Morales and Hugo Chavez, then, are not simply more radical than Lula and Chile's Michele Bachelet (who left office in March 2010). Rather, weak party systems allowed them to adopt more radical policies. Flores-Macías is careful to add that weak party systems also allow for rightwing radicals to enact policies more easily, but at this historical conjuncture, the left has the upper hand. Utilizing a rich base of empirical evidence drawn from eleven countries, After Neoliberalism? will reshape our understanding of not simply why the left has had such a far-reaching triumph, but how it actually governs.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"Amid the many recently published books on Latin America's left turn, After Neoliberalism? really stands out--for its normative balance, its strong empirical foundation, and its theoretical punch. After Neoliberalism? is the best single-author book I have read on contemporary left governments in Latin America. It will reshape the debate on the region's left turn and should be required reading for students of contemporary Latin American politics."
--Steven Levitsky, Harvard University

"After Neoliberalism? is impressive both for its empirical sweep and for its compelling arguments. It will be required reading for anyone interested in the rise of the left in Latin America or the determinants of economic policy more generally."
--Raúl Madrid, University of Texas at Austin

"Flores-Macías successfully challenges widely held views and provides a highly nuanced account of one of the most important issues in contemporary Latin America."
--Timothy R. Scully, C.S.C., University of Notre Dame

"This well-researched book demonstrates that party system strength is crucial for explaining why some left-wing governments in contemporary Latin America have decisively reversed market reforms, whereas others have enacted only limited modifications. By highlighting the importance of political institutions, Flores-Macías makes a significant contribution to the political economy literature."
--Kurt Weyland, University of Texas at Austin

About the Author

Associate Professor of Government, Cornell University

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0199891672
• ISBN 13: 9780199891672
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 261