The context of Latin American politics -- The pattern of historical development -- Interest groups and political parties -- Government machinery, the role of the state, and public policy -- Argentina in the twenty-first century / Linda Chen -- Brazil's new way : the BRIC road to progress / Iêda Siqueira Wiarda -- Chile / Paul E. Sigmund -- Colombia : violence, resource wealth, transnational forces, and a vibrant civil society / Vanessa Joan Gray -- Peru : authoritarian traditions, incomplete democracy / David Scott Palmer -- Venezuela : can democracy survive electoral cauadillismo? / David J. Myers -- Uruguay : balancing growth and democracy / Ronald H. McDonald and Martin Weinstein -- Paraguay : challenges in democratic consolidation / Paul C. Sondrol -- Bolivia : from neoliberal democracy to multiethnic plebiscitarian politics / Fabrice Lehoucq -- Ecuador : from crisis to left turn / Catherine M. Conaghan -- Mexico : democratization, development and internal war / Judith A Gentleman -- Cuba : development, revolution, and decay in Cuba / Juan M. del Aguila -- Costa Rica / Mitchell A. Seligson -- Nicaragua : the politics of frustration / Richard L. Millett -- El Salvador : civil war to uncivil peace / Tommie Sue Montgomery and Christine J. Wade -- Guatemala : democratic by default / Dwight Wilson -- Honduras : democracy in distress / J. Mark Ruhl -- Panama : new politics for a new millennium? / Steve C. Ropp -- The Dominican Republic : a winding road to democracy and development / Esther Shelly Jordan -- Haiti : the search for democratic governance / Georges AC. Fauriol -- Latin America and the future / Howard J. Wiarda and Harvey F. Kline.