The general perception of modern Latin American political institutions emphasizes a continuing and random process of disorder and crisis, continually out of step with other regions in their progress toward democracy and prosperity. In History of Political Parties in Twentieth-Century Latin America, Torcuato S. Di Tella demonstrates that this common view lacks context and comparative nuance, and is deeply misleading. Looking behind the scenes of modern Latin American history, he discerns its broad patterns through close analysis of actual events and comparative sociological perspectives that explain the apparent chaos of the past and point toward the more democratic polity now developing.Di Tella argues that although Latin America has peculiarities of its own, they must be understood in their contrasts--and similarities--with both the developed centers and undeveloped peripheries of the world. Latin American societies have been prone to mass rebellions from very early on, more so than in other regions of the world. He analyzes, as well, such significant exceptions to this pattern as Chile, Colombia, and, to a large extent, Brazil. Turning to the other side of the social spectrum, he shows how the underpriviledged classes have tended to support strongman populist movements, which have the double character of being aggressive toward the established order, but at the same time repressive of public liberties and of more radical groups. Di Tella provides here a necessary examination of the concept of populism and divides it into several variants. Populism, he maintains, is by no means disappearing, but its variants are instead undergoing important changes with significant bearing on the region's near-term future.History of Political Parties in Twentieth-Century Latin America is rich in historical description, but also in its broad review of social structures and of the strengths and weaknesses of political institutions. Choice commented that "this heavily documented volume with an extensive bibliography would prove valuable to researchers and advanced students of Latin America."

History of Higher Education Annual, Volume 23 provides insight into the struggle for civil rights and desegregation of Southern higher education, illuminating how this conflict affected private, historically black colleges and white denominational colleges, while interpreting the dynamics of segregation and desegregation in South Carolina. Other contributions examine town-gown relations for Harvard students in the eighteenth century and the challenge of creating an urban public university in Chicago. Review essays examine the demographic and cultural transformation of British higher education and the curious phenomenon of historical encyclopedias of individual colleges and universities. History of Higher Education Annual will be of interest to historians, sociologists, educational policymakers as well as those concerned with the future of higher education in the United States and throughout the world. Roger L. Geiger is Distinguished Professor of Higher Education at the Pennsylvania State University. He has edited the History of Higher Education Annual since 1993. His two volumes Research and Relevant Knowledge and To Advance Knowledge (both published by Transaction) cover the history of universities in the United States during the twentieth century.

The general perception of modern Latin American political institutions emphasizes a continuing and random process of disorder and crisis, continually out of step with other regions in their progress toward democracy and prosperity. In "History of Political Parties in Twentieth-Century Latin America," Torcuato S. Di Tella demonstrates that this common view lacks context and comparative nuance, and is deeply misleading. Looking behind the scenes of modern Latin American history, he discerns its broad patterns through close analysis of actual events and comparative sociological perspectives that explain the apparent chaos of the past and point toward the more democratic polity now developing.

Di Tella argues that although Latin America has peculiarities of its own, they must be understood in their contrasts--and similarities--with both the developed centers and undeveloped peripheries of the world. Latin American societies have been prone to mass rebellions from very early on, more so than in other regions of the world. He analyzes, as well, such significant exceptions to this pattern as Chile, Colombia, and, to a large extent, Brazil. Turning to the other side of the social spectrum, he shows how the underpriviledged classes have tended to support strongman populist movements, which have the double character of being aggressive toward the established order, but at the same time repressive of public liberties and of more radical groups. Di Tella provides here a necessary examination of the concept of populism and divides it into several variants. Populism, he maintains, is by no means disappearing, but its variants are instead undergoing important changes with significant bearing on the region's near-term future.

"History of Political Parties in Twentieth-Century Latin America" is rich in historical description, but also in its broad review of social structures and of the strengths and weaknesses of political institutions. "Choice" commented that "this heavily documented volume with an extensive bibliography would prove valuable to researchers and advanced students of Latin America."

History of Higher Education Annual, Volume 23 provides insight into the struggle for civil rights and desegregation of Southern higher education, illuminating how this conflict affected private, historically black colleges and white denominational colleges, while interpreting the dynamics of segregation and desegregation in South Carolina. Other contributions examine town-gown relations for Harvard students in the eighteenth century and the challenge of creating an urban public university in Chicago. Review essays examine the demographic and cultural transformation of British higher education and the curious phenomenon of historical encyclopedias of individual colleges and universities. History of Higher Education Annual will be of interest to historians, sociologists, educational policymakers as well as those concerned with the future of higher education in the United States and throughout the world. Roger L. Geiger is Distinguished Professor of Higher Education at the Pennsylvania State University. He has edited the History of Higher Education Annual since 1993. His two volumes Research and Relevant Knowledge and To Advance Knowledge (both published by Transaction) cover the history of universities in the United States during the twentieth century.