Revolution and Reaction - The Diffusion of Authoritarianism in Latin America

Explains how bold efforts at profound progressive change provoked a powerful reactionary backlash that led to the imposition of brutal, regressive dictatorships.

List of contents

Part I. Theoretical Considerations: 1. Introduction; 2. The difficulty of accounting for reverse waves; 3. A theory of reactionary waves; Part II. Revolution and the Reactionary Backlash in Latin America: 4. Diffusion effects of the Cuban Revolution; 5. Waves of radicalization and reaction; 6. The imposition of institutional authoritarianism; 7. Horizontal diffusion and vertical promotion in the autocratic wave; Part III. Comparative Perspectives and Theoretical Conclusions: 8. Reactionary waves across history; 9. Conclusion: theoretical reflections.

About the author

Kurt Weyland utilizes a distinctive theoretical approach that draws on cognitive-psychological insights to elucidate crucial political phenomena. He is the author of four books and approximately fifty journal articles and book chapters. His previous book about waves of democratization, Making Waves, (Cambridge, 2014), won the book award from American Political Science Association's Comparative Democratization section.

Summary

Weyland examines the efforts inspired by the Cuban Revolution to bring change to Latin America. These progressive initiatives, however, instilled fears of Communism and led the military to overthrow democracies in many countries. It will appeal to graduate students and researchers in Latin American politics, democratization, and authoritarianism.

Product details

• Authors: Kurt Weyland, Kurt (University of Texas Weyland, Weyland Kurt
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.03.2019
• EAN: 9781108483551
• ISBN: 978-1-108-48355-1
• No. of pages: 320
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; Ethnic Studies, Latin America, POLITICAL SCIENCE / American Government / General, Political structures: democracy, Comparative Politics, Far-left political ideologies and movements, Political structures: totalitarianism and dictatorship, Latin America – Mexico, Central America, South America, History of the Americas, Socialism & left-of-centre democratic ideologies, Left-of-centre democratic ideologies, Political structures: totalitarianism & dictatorship, Marxism & Communism, Hispanic & Latino Studies