A leading text for more than 40 Years, Latin American Politics and Development has helped instructors and students stay abreast of current affairs in Latin America since 1979. Chapters written by leading authorities on each country in Latin America, something unique in the field and praised by reviewers. In addition to coverage of Middle, Central, and South America, includes coverage of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti in the Caribbean. Contextual Background: Chapters 1-7, written by the two editors, provide an essential foundation for understanding the context of Latin American politics and patterns of historical development. No obvious or overbearing political bias, which is unusual in texts on Latin American politics. The wide selection of countries included in Parts 2 and 3 allows students to explore more countries than typically covered. Writing throughout the book to be approachable and perfectly appropriate for an undergraduate audience. It is not laden with jargon, and concepts are explained well.

A leading text for more than 40 Years, Latin American Politics and Development has helped instructors and students stay abreast of current affairs in Latin America since 1979. Chapters written by leading authorities on each country in Latin America, something unique in the field and praised by reviewers. In addition to coverage of Middle, Central, and South America, includes coverage of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti in the Caribbean. Contextual Background: Chapters 1-7, written by the two editors, provide an essential foundation for understanding the context of Latin American politics and patterns of historical development. No obvious or overbearing political bias, which is unusual in texts on Latin American politics. The wide selection of countries included in Parts 2 and 3 allows students to explore more countries than typically covered. Writing throughout the book to be approachable and perfectly appropriate for an undergraduate audience. It is not laden with jargon, and concepts are explained well.

This book discusses the blend of Andean and Caribbean characteristics that define Colombia, particularly in its geography, demography, and social structure. It introduces readers to a complex and beautiful country that has been transformed from a fairly successful democracy to a near-pariah.

Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America and one of the continent s most populous nations. It has substantial oil reserves and is a major producer of gold, silver, emeralds, platinum, and coal, along with a significant number of natural resources. Colombia has also been ravaged by a decades-long violent conflict involving outlawed armed groups, drug cartels, and gross violations of human rights. Recently the country has made some progress towards improving security, and President Santos has pledged to continue to improve security by passing laws to strengthen the judicial system; a reform of the manner of distributing royalties paid by mining and petroleum companies; and a tougher law against corruption. The Historical Dictionary of Colombia covers the history of Colombia through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and a bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1,000 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Colombia."

Although Colombia is the third-largest country in Latin America, it has been little known until recent years and does not fit many of the patterns common to other countries in the region. Competition between political parties, for example, has always been more important than class conflict; there is no tradition of military dictatorship; and corporatist structures are weak. Over the past decade, however, Colombia has gained notoriety, principally as the supplier of 80 percent of the cocaine consumed in the United States. The second edition of this comprehensive country profile begins with a discussion of the blend of Andean and Caribbean characteristics that define Colombia, particularly in its geography, demography, and social structure. The author then presents a detailed political history that extends from before the arrival of the Spanish, including a portrait of early Amerindian populations, and continues through the turbulence of guerrilla, drug, and paramilitary violence in the 1980s and constitutional reforms of the 1990s. Harvey Kline argues that Colombia is now conscientiously attempting to alter historical patterns that have led it to play a key role in the international drug trade and to lead the world in the rate of homicides. A chapter on the economy offers a historical analysis of its evolution and examines economic and trade policies of recent presidents. Finally, the author looks at the international dimension of Colombian politics, especially its long-standing relationship with the United States and its increasingly important regional ties.

The new edition of this title offers an overview of the political factors that condition social and economic development in Latin America. It is intended for use by students in courses on politics, government, social change and transitions to democracy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

This succinct overview of the political factors that condition social and economic development in Latin America is the perfect core text in courses on politics, government, social change, and transitions to democracy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

The civil war in Colombia has waxed and waned for sixty years, with shifting goals, programs, and tactics among the contending parties. Bursts of appalling violence are punctuated by uneasy truces, cease-fires, and attempts at reconciliation. Varieties of Marxism, the economics of narco-trafficking, peasant land hunger, poverty, and oppression mix together in a toxic stew that has claimed the uncounted lives of peasants, conscript soldiers, and those who simply got in the way. Kline argues that the first administration of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez marks a decisive break in this seemingly endless cycle. Not only were the levels of homicide and kidnapping dramatically reduced, but the state took the offensive against the insurgents, strengthening the armed forces which in turn demonstrated clear support for the president's policy. However, Kline believes that these changes, although dramatic, are not necessarily permanent, and discusses what challenges must be overcome for the permanent reduction of organized violence in this war-torn nation.