During the 1980s, superpower rivalry and regional conflicts decimated the Central American economies and eroded political systems within the region. Recent years, however, have witnessed remarkable political change, and since 1990 popularly elected presidents have held office in all seven countries. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the

During the 1980s, superpower rivalry and regional conflicts decimated the Central American economies and eroded political systems within the region. Recent years, however, have witnessed remarkable political change, and since 1990 popularly elected presidents have held office in all seven countries. This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the

Until two attempts at military coups in 1992, Venezuela enjoyed political stability that was exceptional for a Latin American nation under a succession, going back to 1958, of constitutionally chosen presidents. Venezuela had leaders who were socially responsible and progressive, funding social programmes with money the state earned from petroleum exports. What had weakened the foundations of that stability by the 1990s? In this book a group of scholars reviews Venezuelan exceptionalism and the key institutions that had atrophied economically, socially, and politically. The authors draw lessons on the need for public accountability in a democracy in the light of these specific failures of the government and other institutions in Venezuela. They examine the major political players - political parties, popular opinion, the military; sectors of the economy; state, populism, corruption, and crisis; and Venezuela's foreign relations.