Arnold August has an MA in political science from McGill University. The Montreal-based writer, journalist and lecturer is the author of Democracy in Cuba and the 1997–98 Elections. He has also contributed a chapter entitled “Socialism and Elections” to Azicri and Deal’s edited collection Cuban Socialism in a New Century.

This book, a tour de force from an expert who clearly knows his field well, is one that goes out of its way to make us think about what we understand by "democracy" and how we should view new manifestations in the "Third World". Not only is its conceptual and geographical scope admirably broad, but its familiar attention to the details of political participation are excellent, and, by taking a firm stance, the author forces us to address issues which are all too often taken for granted and left unquestioned.

• PrefacePart I: Clearing the Cobwebs Around Democracy1. Democracy and U.S.-Centrism2. Democracy in the U.S.3. Exploring Democracies in Venezuela, Bolivia and EcuadorPart II: Cuba: Constitutions, Elections and New States (1868-1976)4. Participation in Constitutions, Elections and a New State (1868-1952)5. Democracy, Elections and the New State6. The 2011-12 Communist Party Congress and Conference: Democratization and the PressPart III: Contemporary Cuba: The Test for Democratization6. The 2011-12 Communist Party Congress and Conference: Democratization and the Press7. Elections in Contemporary Cuba8. The ANPP and the Municipality: Functioning Between ElectionsThe Future of Democratization: Facing the Tests