Democracy in Latin America

In their Preface, the editors write that since the publication of their book of essays two years earlier, there have been

many new developments, yet remarkably little structural change, in the hemisphere. The contradictions of the "redemocratization" schemes have become clearer, as crises have worsened in "civilian" regimes compromised with (or run by) counterinsurgency armies (vii).

Nevertheless, the editors manage to find hope in a number of areas, especially "mass-based social movements" which "increasingly . . . defy control by even the most repressive state apparatus and begin to develop their own models for popular democracy" (vii).

However, in practical terms, these movements have actually had little effect

. . .
The revolution has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to overcome what initially seemed to insurmountable obstacles and difficulties" (174). Castro has survived, but he has hardly brought anything resembling democracy to Cuba, and that is what these essays are supposed to be about: democracy in Latin America. The essayists seem to see what they want to see, and to ignore or minimize what they do not want to see. They see considerable hope where there appears to be little hope if any at all. They see democracy breaking out all over when in fact it seems that there is continued repression and control by elites and the military, often in collusion with the United States. These essays are not convincing in their democratic hope. Jose Maria Bello, in A History of Modern Brazil, 1889-1964 (Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1966), is effective and comprehensive in presenting an historical overview of his nation in the years of its development into the modern era. He admits he has his prejudices, but he is determined to paint an objective a picture as possible: This study of the history of Brazil's republican period is part of my self-imposed attempt to understand my country. . . . Here, as in my earlier work, I have
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Brazil Bello, Latin America, America Caribbean, University Press, Author's Preface, Vargas Vargas, United American, Susanne Jonas, Nancy Stein, Bergin Garvey, latin america, democracy latin america, hopeful signs, book authors, political leadership, brazil's history, head manager, nations studied, studied book, nations studied book, , studied book authors, susanne jonas,
Approximate Word count = 1529
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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