Undoing Democracy: The Politics of Electoral Caudillismo

by Close, Deonandan

Overview

In an effort to understand how and why democratically elected governments evade the limitations that democratic accountability and popular participation place on them, Undoing Democracy examines how democratic rule was undermined in Nicaragua in the 1990's. David Close and Kalowatie Deonandan focus their analysis on the pact struck between the country's two main parties, the Liberals and the Sandinistas, which allowed the passage of the constitutional amendments that weakened Nicaragua's basic political institutions. The authors also consider, in detail, the country's political economy as well as the roles played by civil society, the Catholic Church, and NGOs. Undoing Democracy will sharpen our understanding of democratic transition and consolidation, and will serve as an important contribution to the literature on Nicaragua, Latin American politics, and democratization.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739129999
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	08/18/2004
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	228
File size:	665 KB

About the Author

David Close is professor of political science at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Kalowatie Deonandan is associate professor of political science and director of the International Studies Program of the University of Saskatchewan.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Undoing Democracy in Nicaragua
Chapter 2 Parties and Pacts in Contemporary Nicaragua
Chapter 3 The Assault on Pluralism
Chapter 4 Alemán's War on NGO Community
Chapter 5 Unholy Alliance: Churce and the State in Nicaragua (1996-2002)
Chapter 6 Violence and Personal Insecurity: The Alemán Administration's Authoritarian Response
Chapter 7 Patrimonialism and Economic Policy in the Alemán Administration
Chapter 8 The External Debt of Nicaragua and the Alemán Liberal Administration: Images and Realities
Chapter 9 President Bolaños Runs a Reverse, or How Arnoldo Alemán Wound Up in Prison
Chapter 10 The Caudillo is Dead: Long Live the Caudillo