List of Figures List of Tables Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Part I - Background Chapter 1: Colonial Legacy and the Post-Independence Period Colonial Latin America Independence and the Struggle for Political Order Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Chapter 2: Political Regimes and Democratic Stability What is Democracy? Regime Transitions and Democratic Survival Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Chapter 3: Guerrillas and Revolutions Guerrilla Movements in Latin America The Cuban Revolution The Nicaraguan Revolution Failed Revolutions in El Salvador and Guatemala Guerrillas and the Peace Process in Colombia Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Chapter 4: U.S.-Latin American Relations The Cold War The Aftermath of the Cold War The Early 21st Century Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Part II - Institutions Chapter 5: Latin American Presidentialism Presidentialism and Its Critique Constitutional Variations in Latin American Presidentialism Differences between U.S. and Latin American Presidentialism Presidential Instability Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Chapter 6: Legislatures in Latin America The Legislative Branch Organization Legislative Voting Behavior Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Chapter 7: Elections and Electoral Rules Suffrage Extensions Compulsory Voting Rules for Electing Presidents Rules for Electing Members of Congress The Consequences of Congressional Electoral Rules Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Chapter 8: The Judiciary Judicial Independence Judicial Authority Perceptions of the Judiciary Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Part III - Political Attitudes, Policies, and Outcomes Chapter 9: Political Culture Support for Democracy Confidence in Institutions and Interpersonal Trust Ideological Positions Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Chapter 10: Corruption Corruption Efforts to Combat Corruption Measuring Corruption Corruption Scandals Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Chapter 11: Civil Liberties and Press Freedom What Are Civil Liberties? The Right to Life and Liberty Free Expression, Peaceful Assembly, and Religious Freedom Press Freedom Property Rights Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Chapter 12: Income Inequality, Poverty, and the Gender Gap Income Inequality The Gender Gap Conclusions Key Terms Bibliographic Recommendations Web Resources Glossary Notes Index.