Latin American Political Culture

John A. Booth is Regents Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of North Texas. His recent research examines political culture, opinion, and participation regarding democratization, concentrating especially on Central America. He is coauthor of Understanding Central America: Global Forces, Rebellion, and Change (Westview 2015), and The Legitimacy Puzzle: Political Support and Democracy in Eight Nations (Cambridge 2009). Patricia Bayer Richard is Trustee Professor Emerita of Political Science at Ohio University. Her research spans democracy, public opinion, political culture, elections, and reproductive rights. Her work has appeared in journals and books such as the American Journal of Political Science, the Journal of Politics, the Social Science Quarterly, Electoral Studies, American Behavioral Scientist, Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in Post-War Societies, Repression, Resistance, and Democratic Transition in Central America, Elections and Democracy in Central America Revisited, and Abortion Politics in American States.

• Part I: IntroductionChapter 1: Latin American Political Culture and Democracy: IntroductionWhat Is Political Culture? A Common Language for PoliticsWhy Political Culture Matters: An Argument Over Its FunctionViews of Latin American Political Culture: Traditional Theories and an Emerging New PictureThe Goal of This BookFurther Analysis ExercisesPart II: A Survey of Latin American Political Cultural NormsChapter 2: Do Latin Americans Support Democracy?What Model of Democracy?Historical-Cultural Background and Latin American Political CultureSources of Democratic AttitudesCase Study: Uruguay Is the Most Culturally Democratic Latin American CountryConclusionsFurther Analysis ExercisesChapter 3: Do Latin Americans Reject Authoritarian Norms?Authoritarian Norms in a Democratic Context?Historical-Cultural BackgroundSurveying Latin Americans’ Commitment to Authoritarian and Antidemocratic Political NormsAuthoritarianism and Related Norms Among Latin AmericansSources of Authoritarian and Antidemocratic NormsCase Study: Political Culture and Honduras’ “Pajama Coup”Discussion and ConclusionsFurther Analysis ExercisesChapter 4: Views of Government and the Political SystemHistorical-Cultural BackgroundViews About Politics And GovernmentPolitical Efficacy and TrustParty Identification And IdeologyExpectations of the Political System: Government and Welfare and Divisions on the Rule of LawCase Study: Caudillismo, Confrontation, and Venezuela′s Crisis in the Bolivarian RevolutionConclusionsFurther Analysis ExercisesChapter 5: Demand for Democracy and Evaluation of Government’s InstitutionsThe Performance of Latin American GovernmentsCitizens’ Evaluations of Their GovernmentsExplaining Satisfaction With DemocracyCase Study: Vigilante Justice in Mexico- Failed Public Security and AutodefensasConclusionsFurther Analysis ExercisesPart III: Critical Issues of Latin American Political CultureChapter 6: Civic and Political ParticipationHistorical-Cultural BackgroundHow Citizens ParticipateCivil Society ActivismPolitical ParticipationCase Study: Brazil- Sao Paulo Youth Protest for Access to Fancy MallsConclusionsFurther Analysis ExercisesChapter 7: Innate Characteristics and Political Culture: Gender, Age, Race, and EthnicityGenderAgeRace and EthnicitySkin ColorCase Study: Cultural Integration of Indigenous Guatemalans and BoliviansConclusionsFurther Analysis ExercisesChapter 8: Acquired Cleavages and Political CultureReligious IdentityEducationEconomic StatusCase Study: Tolerance of Gays Reveals Powerful Religious and Contextual EffectsConclusionsFurther Analysis ExercisesChapter 9: Dynamic Factors and Political CultureThe Age of Democracy and Political CultureEconomic Crisis and Political AttitudesSocial and Political Capital and DemocratizationCase Study: Women in Elite PoliticsConclusionsFurther Analysis QuestionsPart IV: Conclusions About Latin American Political CultureChapter 10: Conclusions: Consolidating Democratic CultureSumming Up: What We Have LearnedLatin America and Its Northern NeighborsPractical Implications of Political CultureConclusionsFurther Analysis Exercises