Dissonances: Democratic Critiques of Democracy (Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies) Book

"For many years, O'Donnell has explored the various ways in which the democracies of Latin America--many of them new--failed to meet expectations held out for them by citizens, analysts, and political actors. The articles collected here represent some of the very best thinking by an author who remains one of the most creative and insightful political theorists, whose work is deeply grounded in empirical observation, whose ideas are consistently robust, and whose reflections can be both provocative and of great practical use." --Charles D. Kenney, University of Oklahoma Guillermo O'Donnell, one of Latin America's most influential political scientists, here brings together a collection of recent essays. This volume includes his agenda-setting essays on democratic theory, accountability, the rule of law, and the role of the state in new democracies. While progress has been made in democratization, legacies of authoritarianism and social inequality hang as shadows over that advancement. O'Donnell engages in his analysis while keeping a firm gaze on the dangers and challenges that lie ahead. O'Donnell's work has influenced a generation of political scientists. The essays in this volume open fascinating research areas and will be of interest to scholars concerned with democratization, the rule of law, and comparative politics.Read More