Download or read book Changing Course in Latin America written by Kenneth M. Roberts and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2015-01-12 with total page 357 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the impact of economic crises and free-market reforms on party systems and political representation in contemporary Latin America. It explains why some patterns of market reform align and stabilize party systems, whereas other patterns of reform leave party systems vulnerable to widespread social protest and electoral instability. In contrast to other works on the topic, this book accounts for both the institutionalization and the breakdown of party systems, and it explains why Latin America turned to the Left politically in the aftermath of the market-reform process. Ultimately, it explains why this 'left turn' was more radical in some countries than others and why it had such varied effects on national party systems.