Synopses & Reviews
This text provides a critical but systematic overview of the state of democratic theory and practice in the contemporary world. Nef shows that recent developments are more complex than admitted by proponents of the idea of a democratic world with what he calls de-democratization of various forms running in parallel with democratization.
About the Author
JORGE NEF is Director of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies and Professor of Government and International Affairs, University of South Florida. BERND REITER is Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of South Florida.
Table of Contents
Democracy as an Idea and as a Process
Myths and Misconceptions
From the "Crisis of the Dictatorships" to "Transition"
Neo-liberalism, End of History and Democratization
The Contradiction Between Liberalism and Democracy
Democracy, Plutocracy and the State
Structural Inequality and the End of the Welfare State
Formal and Substantive Democracy: Popular Rule and Political Security
Limited Democracy, Authoritarianism and De-democratization
Conclusion: The Crisis of Democracy Revisited