Forgotten Continent: A History of the New Latin America

by Michael Reid

Overview

The bestselling primer on the social, political, and economic challenges facing Central and South America—now fully revised and updated.
 
Ten years after its first publication, Michael Reid’s bestselling survey of the state of contemporary Latin America has been wholly updated to reflect the new realities of the “Forgotten Continent.” The former Americas editor for the Economist, Reid suggests that much of Central and South America, though less poor, less unequal, and better educated than before, faces harder economic times now that the commodities boom of the 2000s is over. His revised, in-depth account of the region reveals dynamic societies more concerned about corruption and climate change, the uncertainties of a Donald Trump-led United States, and a political cycle that, in many cases, is turning from left-wing populism to center-right governments. This essential new edition provides important insights into the sweeping changes that have occurred in Latin America in recent years and indicates priorities for the future.
 
“[A] comprehensive and erudite assessment of the region . . . While the social and economic face of Latin America is becoming more attractive, political life remains ugly and, in some countries, is getting even uglier.”—The Washington Post


“Excellent . . . a comprehensive primer on the history, politics, and culture of the hemisphere.”—Francis Fukuyama, New York Times bestselling author

“Reid’s book offers something valuable to both specialists and the general reading public . . . He writes of Latin America with great empathy, intelligence, and insight.”—Hispanic American Historical Review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300231700
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	08/11/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	441
Sales rank:	1,025,327
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

MICHAEL REID is editor of the Americas section of the Economist. Previously based in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, he has traveled throughout Latin America and reported for the BBC, the Guardian, and the Economist since 1982.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Viii

List of Charts and Tables ix

Maps of the Region x

Preface xii

1 The Forgotten Continent 1

2 The Latin American Conundrum 24

3 The Seed of Democracy in the Land of the Caudillo 46

4 Cold War and Revolution 81

5 Failed Reformers, Debt-Ridden Dictators 113

6 From the Washington Consensus to the Commodity Boom - and Bust 133

7 The Venezuelan Disaster 165

8 The Stumbles of Reformers 193

9 Changing Societies 238

10 The Defective State 266

11 The Stubborn Resilience of Flawed Democracies 301

12 The Loneliness of Latin America 329

13 So Near and Yet So Far 350

Glossary 361

Notes 367

Bibliography 396

Index 408