Handbook of Political Science Research on Latin America - by David W Dent (Hardcover)

About the Book

The volume offers a rich synthesis of political science research on Latin America over the past 30 years and offers a wealth of information to anyone interested in the area--from the beginning student to the area specialist. . . . The volume is an impressive achievement and will not outdate soon. Library Journal (starred review)

This handbook offers the reader a rich synthesis of the political science research on the Latin American region over the past thirty years. It reviews published books, articles, and government documents in addition to a few select doctoral dissertations. Sixteen contributors participated in the making of this volume, all of whom have lived and done field work in Latin America and the Caribbean and have studied and taught about Latin America. The starting date of 1960 was chosen because that year coincided with the rapid growth of research on Latin America, spurred by the Cuban Revolution and the Alliance for Progress.

The handbook is divided into two main sections: comparative politics and international relations. Within each section are chapters on specific countries of interest or on general topics or areas. Appendixes (which include a selected bibliography and a listing of major research centers in Latin America and the Caribbean) and indexes follow the main body of the book. This book should be of great value to anyone interested in the history and methodology of political science research on Latin America and the Caribbean. Specialists from other areas of study will also find this volume's information invaluable. Beginning students of Latin American history and politics will find this work a comprehensive review of the field over the past three decades.

Book Synopsis

The volume offers a rich synthesis of political science research on Latin America over the past 30 years and offers a wealth of information to anyone interested in the area--from the beginning student to the area specialist. . . . The volume is an impressive achievement and will not outdate soon. Library Journal (starred review)

This handbook offers the reader a rich synthesis of the political science research on the Latin American region over the past thirty years. It reviews published books, articles, and government documents in addition to a few select doctoral dissertations. Sixteen contributors participated in the making of this volume, all of whom have lived and done field work in Latin America and the Caribbean and have studied and taught about Latin America. The starting date of 1960 was chosen because that year coincided with the rapid growth of research on Latin America, spurred by the Cuban Revolution and the Alliance for Progress.

The handbook is divided into two main sections: comparative politics and international relations. Within each section are chapters on specific countries of interest or on general topics or areas. Appendixes (which include a selected bibliography and a listing of major research centers in Latin America and the Caribbean) and indexes follow the main body of the book. This book should be of great value to anyone interested in the history and methodology of political science research on Latin America and the Caribbean. Specialists from other areas of study will also find this volume's information invaluable. Beginning students of Latin American history and politics will find this work a comprehensive review of the field over the past three decades.

Review Quotes

"This is a well-organized and well-edited volume, synthesizing major trends in political science research on Latin America during the past thirty years. It presents a wealth of information and bibliographical assistance in a user friendly' fashion, and will be a major resource for scholars and students alike."-Abraham F. Lowenthal School of International Relations University of Southern California

?Dent has recruited 16 well-established Latin American scholars to prepare extended bibliographic essays about specific countries, regions, or issues. In addition, the collective task was to measure how well the study of Latin American politics has kept pace with the changes in the region. The volume offers a rich synthesis of political science research on Latin American over the past 30 years and offers a wealth of information to anyone interested in the area--from the beginning student to the area specialist. Although it is primarily for an academic audience, public libraries with active reference departments will find this volume useful for patrons with interest in Latin America. The volume is an impressive achievement and will not outdate soon.?-Library Journal (starred review)

?The Handbook summarizes the kinds of political science research that has been carried out in Latin America over the past 30 years. It is organized in three sections: the first reviews countries and regions from a comparative political context. The second examines principal writings in the field of international relations. This section opens with a discussion of the patterns of international relations research and then has separate chapters on Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean and South America. Part 3 is a useful selected bibliography of reference works on Latin American politics, macrotrends in political science research., 1960-1985 (using data from the Handbook of Latin American Studies), and a compilation of major research centers and institutes in Latin America and the Caribbean. The authors are established scholars in the field of Latin American political science and international relations. The articles provide an excellent overview of 30 years of political science research in the region. There is a name index as well as a subject index. Upper-division undergraduates and above.?-Choice

"Dent has recruited 16 well-established Latin American scholars to prepare extended bibliographic essays about specific countries, regions, or issues. In addition, the collective task was to measure how well the study of Latin American politics has kept pace with the changes in the region. The volume offers a rich synthesis of political science research on Latin American over the past 30 years and offers a wealth of information to anyone interested in the area--from the beginning student to the area specialist. Although it is primarily for an academic audience, public libraries with active reference departments will find this volume useful for patrons with interest in Latin America. The volume is an impressive achievement and will not outdate soon."-Library Journal (starred review)

"The Handbook summarizes the kinds of political science research that has been carried out in Latin America over the past 30 years. It is organized in three sections: the first reviews countries and regions from a comparative political context. The second examines principal writings in the field of international relations. This section opens with a discussion of the patterns of international relations research and then has separate chapters on Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean and South America. Part 3 is a useful selected bibliography of reference works on Latin American politics, macrotrends in political science research., 1960-1985 (using data from the Handbook of Latin American Studies), and a compilation of major research centers and institutes in Latin America and the Caribbean. The authors are established scholars in the field of Latin American political science and international relations. The articles provide an excellent overview of 30 years of political science research in the region. There is a name index as well as a subject index. Upper-division undergraduates and above."-Choice

About the Author

DAVID W. DENT is Professor of Political Science at Towson State University, Maryland. He is the author of Recent Trends in Political Science Research on Latin America, Latin American Research Review (1986), and articles or chapters in Comparative Political Studies, Journal of Latin American Studies, and Encyclopedia of Political Systems and Parties.