Changing course in Latin America

"This book adopts a critical juncture framework to explain 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 the 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 in others and why it had such varied effects on national party systems"--Back cover.