Now in a fifth edition, Latin America has been updated to reflect the region's growing optimism as economies stabilize, trade diversifies, and political systems become more participatory. This multidisciplinary survey of Latin American history, politics, and society features invited contributions from authorities in a variety of fields. New sections address current events including deforestation in Costa Rica and Brazil, emerging social movements, Ecuador's new constitution, and Obama's stated objectives to repair U.S. relations with the region. In addition, key topics (such as women and...

This textbook, extensively revised and updated in this new second edition, introduces the student to what is most basic and most interesting about Latin America. The authors—each widely recognized in his or her own discipline, as well as among Latin Americanists—analyze both the enduring features of the area and the pace and direction of change. Th

As wealthy countries focus more attention on the ravages of poverty and maldistribution of the world's resources, the rationales for what is or is not done in the name of ?development? have become more elaborate and abstract. And as the literature has proliferated, communication among those who approach development from different perspectives, disciplines, and professions has become more strained. In this innovative text, Jan Black argues that what is missing is ?appropriate theory? that can help place the findings of social scientists and seasoned development practitioners at the service of...