Synopses & Reviews
This book addresses the current debate regarding the liabilities and merits of presidential government.
Review
"...this is an outstanding volume. The editors merit a hearty vote of thanks from all students of Latin America." J.D. Martz, Choice"...the scope of investigation is admirable. ...the authors ...generate a contemporary record of the countries that will be useful to all students of Latin American politics." Edward M. Dew, Perspectives on Political Science"...The editors define the research question at hand in their introduction, the country cases take them up explicity with a common vocabulary, and the impressive conclusion capitalizes on the conceptual framework and case studies to advance significantly scholarly understanding of presidentialism." Brian F. Crisp and Maria C. Escobar-lemmon, Latin American Research Review
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Presidentialism and democracy in Latin America: rethinking the terms of the debate Matthew Soberg Shugart and Scott Mainwaring; 2. Dilemmas of multi-party presidential democracy: the case of Brazil Scott Mainwaring; 3. The unrealized potential of presidential dominance in Columbia Ronald P. Archer and Matthew Soberg Shugart; 4. Presidential behavior in a system with strong parties: Venezuala 1958-1995 Brian F. Crisp; 5. Strong candidates for a limited office: Presidentialism and political parties in Costa Rica John M. Carey; 6. The logic of Presidencialismo in Mexico Jeffrey Weldon; 7. Evaluating Argentina's presidential democracy: 1983-1995 Mark P. Jones; 8. In defense of Presidentialism: the case of Chile 1932-1970 Julio Faundez; 9. Executive-legislative relations in Post-Pinochet Chile: a preliminary assessment Peter M. Siavelis; 10. Hybrid-Presidentialism and democratization: the Case of Bolivia Eduardo Gamarra; 11. Conclusion: presidentialism and the party system Scott Mainwaring and Matthew Soberg Shugart; Appendix: outlines of constitutional powers in Latin America John M. Carey, Octavio Amorim Neto and Matthew Soberg Shugart.