Forgotten continent : a history of the New Latin America

A newly updated edition of the best-selling primer on the social, political, and economic challenges facing Central and South America Ten years after its first publication, Michael Reid's best-selling survey of the state of contemporary Latin America has been wholly updated to reflect the new realities of the "Forgotten Continent." The former Americas editor for the Economist, Reid suggests that much of Central and South America, though less poor, less unequal, and better educated than before, faces harder economic times now that the commodities boom of the 2000s is over. His revised, in-depth account of the region reveals dynamic societies more concerned about corruption and climate change, the uncertainties of a Donald Trump-led United States, and a political cycle that, in many cases, is turning from left-wing populism to center-right governments. This essential new edition provides important insights into the sweeping changes that have occurred in Latin America in recent years and indicates priorities for the future The bestselling primer on the social, political, and economic challenges facing Central and South America—now fully revised and updated. Ten years after its first publication, Michael Reid’s bestselling survey of the state of contemporary Latin America has been wholly updated to reflect the new realities of the “Forgotten Continent.” The former Americas editor for the Economist, Reid suggests that much of Central and South America, though less poor, less unequal, and better educated than before, faces harder economic times now that the commodities boom of the 2000s is over. His revised, in-depth account of the region reveals dynamic societies more concerned about corruption and climate change, the uncertainties of a Donald Trump-led United States, and a political cycle that, in many cases, is turning from left-wing populism to center-right governments. This essential new edition provides important insights into the sweeping changes that have occurred in Latin America in recent years and indicates priorities for the future. “[A] comprehensive and erudite assessment of the region . . . While the social and economic face of Latin America is becoming more attractive, political life remains ugly and, in some countries, is getting even uglier.”— The Washington Post “Excellent . . . a comprehensive primer on the history, politics, and culture of the hemisphere.”—Francis Fukuyama, New York Times bestselling author “Reid’s book offers something valuable to both specialists and the general reading public . . . He writes of Latin America with great empathy, intelligence, and insight.”— Hispanic American Historical Review

The bestselling primer on the social, political, and economic challenges facing Central and South America—now fully revised and updated. Ten years after its first publication, Michael Reid's bestselling survey of the state of contemporary Latin America has been wholly updated to reflect the new realities of the "Forgotten Continent." The former Americas editor for the Economist, Reid suggests that much of Central and South America, though less poor, less unequal, and better educated than before, faces harder economic times now that the commodities boom of the 2000s is over. His revised, in-depth account of the region reveals dynamic societies more concerned about corruption and climate change, the uncertainties of a Donald Trump-led United States, and a political cycle that, in many cases, is turning from left-wing populism to center-right governments. This essential new edition provides important insights into the sweeping changes that have occurred in Latin America in recent years and indicates priorities for the future. "[A] comprehensive and erudite assessment of the region... While the social and economic face of Latin America is becoming more attractive, political life remains ugly and, in some countries, is getting even uglier."— The Washington Post
"Excellent... a comprehensive primer on the history, politics, and culture of the hemisphere."—Francis Fukuyama, New York Times bestselling author "Reid's book offers something valuable to both specialists and the general reading public... He writes of Latin America with great empathy, intelligence, and insight."— Hispanic American Historical Review

Ten Years After Its First Publication, Michael Reid's Best-selling Survey Of The State Of Contemporary Latin America Has Been Wholly Updated To Reflect The New Realities Of The Forgotten Continent. The Former Americas Editor For The Economist, Reid Suggests That Much Of Central And South America, Though Less Poor, Less Unequal, And Better Educated Than Before, Faces Harder Economic Times Now That The Commodities Boom Of The 2000s Is Over. His Revised, In-depth Account Of The Region Reveals Dynamic Societies More Concerned About Corruption And Climate Change, The Uncertainties Of A Donald Trump-led United States, And A Political Cycle That, In Many Cases, Is Turning From Left-wing Populism To Center-right Governments. This Essential New Edition Provides Important Insights Into The Sweeping Changes That Have Occurred In Latin America In Recent Years And Indicates Priorities For The Future--amazon.com. The Forgotten Continent -- The Latin American Conundrum -- The Seed Of Democracy In The Land Of The Caudillo -- Cold War And Revolution : The United States And The Left Reject Democracy -- Failed Reformers, Debt-ridden Dictators : The Right Rejects Democracy -- The Rise And Fall Of The Washington Consensus -- The Populist Challenge -- The Reformist Response -- Changing Societies -- Evolving States -- The Stubborn Resilience Of Flawed Democracies -- The Loneliness Of Latin America -- So Near And Yet So Far. Michael Reid. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 396-407) And Index. "Ten years after its first publication, Michael Reid's best-selling survey of the state of contemporary Latin America has been wholly updated to reflect the new realities of the "Forgotten Continent." The former Americas editor for the Economist, Reid suggests that much of Central and South America, though less poor, less unequal, and better educated than before, faces harder economic times now that the commodities boom of the 2000s is over. His revised, in-depth account of the region reveals dynamic societies more concerned about corruption and climate change, the uncertainties of a Donald Trump-led United States, and a political cycle that, in many cases, is turning from left-wing populism to center-right governments. This essential new edition provides important insights into the sweeping changes that have occurred in Latin America in recent years and indicates priorities for the future"-- amazon.com The forgotten continent -- The Latin American conundrum -- The seed of democracy in the land of the caudillo -- Cold War and revolution -- Failed reformers, debt-ridden dictators -- From the Washington consensus to the commodity boom and bust -- The Venezuelan disaster -- The stumbles of reformers -- Changing societies -- The defective state -- The stubborn resilience of flawed democracies -- The loneliness of Latin America -- So near and yet so far.