Latin America: A New Interpretation

LAURENCE WHITEHEAD is Professor at Nuffield College, Oxford University, UK.

'Taken as a whole, these essays provide both bold summary assessments of continent-wide trends and well-grounded analyses of central issues such as privatization and citizen security in specific countries; all of them are thought-provoking and suggestive.' - Jonathan Hartlyn, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA 'Whitehead has a knowledge of Latin America that is remarkably both extensive and deep. Combined with an acute theoretical mind, he has written a most interesting and innovative interpretation of this region, which deserves close reading and widespread attention.' - Guillermo O'Donnell, Kellogg Professor of Government, University of Notre Dame, USA 'Laurence Whitehead's fine achievement consists in exploring complex hemispheric relations in the context of transformative global landscapes. These essays take an ingenious, interdisciplinary approach to inter-regional issues, bringing the cultural imagination to bear on economic and political realities. Whitehead's insights into the progress and perils of democratic citizenship are particularly important for the times of insecurity and fear in which we live today.' - Homi K. Bhabha, Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of English, Director of the Harvard Humanities Center, Harvard University, USA

• Introduction The Politics of Expertise in Latin America: Antecedents and Actualities Privatization and the Public Interest: Partial Theories, Lopsided Outcomes Economies in Mexico: The Power of Ideas, the Ideas of Power Beyond Neo-Liberalism: Bolivia's Capitalization as a Route to the Universal Entitlement and Substantive Citizenship Rights? The Shifting Foundations of Economic Liberalism in Latin American Public Policy Democratization and Social Injustice