Shaping the Political Arena

by Ruth Berins Collier, David Collier, Guillermo O'Donnell (Preface)

Ruth Berins Collier and David Collier are political scientists who use comparative historical research to discover and evaluate patterns and sources of political change. Their work is an overall analysis of Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, and Mexico, plus case studies of four distinct pairs in that Chile/Brazil, Uruguay/Colombia, Argentina/Peru, and Venezuela/Mexico. In addition, the Colliers meticulously describe and discuss their methods for the study including the limitations of their approach. The authors specifically focus on why and how organized labor movements in the first half of the twentieth century were incorporated into the political process in the eight Latin American countries they study. They analyze the role played by political parties, central government control, worker mobilization, and conflict between radical vs. centrist political philosophies and activities.

900 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

Reviews

[Jonathan Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent comparative history of 20th century Latin America, though not all their theoretical arguments are convincing.

[iougz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of the best books about Latin American politics I’ve ever read. It’s hard, if not impossible, to find contemporary equivalents to Collier and Collier’s masterpiece of comparative study. I found the theoretical framework they develop on state-labor relations very interesting and thought-provoking, while the depth and extent of research on which it is based are truly staggering. I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that covers so much ground, both historically and geographically, in such a remarkable manner. Even if you don't find their theoretical model convincing, the descriptive data is, by itself, worth a read. A must-read for anyone interested in Latin American politics and who’s not afraid of going through a nearly 800-page-long academic book.

[Trashy Pit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helps explain alot of what's happened in Latin America in the Postwar period.