Goldfrank, Benjamin.

Deepening local democracy in Latin America : participation, decentralization, and the left / Benjamin Goldfrank. - University Park : The Pennsylvania State University Press, c2011. - xii, 299 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [267]-291) and index.

Democracy, participation, and decentralization -- A tale of three cities -- Caracas : scarce resources, fierce opposition, and restrictive design -- Montevideo : from rousing to regulating participation -- Porto Alegre : making participatory democracy work -- Stronger citizens, stronger state? -- Conclusion : the diffusion of participatory democracy and the rise of the left.

"Addresses the question of why institutions meant to attract citizen participation succeed in strengthening civil society and improving state responsiveness and transparency in some places, but fail in others. Focuses on urban politics in Porto Alegre (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Caracas (Venezuela)"--Provided by publisher.

9780271037943 (cloth : alk. paper)

2010041995


Political participation--Latin America--Case studies.
Municipal government--Latin America--Case studies.
Comparative government--Case studies.


Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil))--Politics and government.
Montevideo (Uruguay)--Politics and government.
Caracas (Venezuela)--Politics and government.

JS 2300 / G65 2011

320.8098