Torre, C: Populist Seduction in Latin America

"The first edition of this book was everything one could hope for in an academic book: it was insightful and illustrated with lively and in-depth examples of real politics. The same is true for the revised and expanded second edition. This is a book that all scholars of Latin America should read... . It is a rare book in that it is theoretically important, and excellent for classroom use." (Bulletin of Latin American Research) For anyone wishing a succinct and theoretically sophisticated concept-building analysis of populist rhetoric and leadership style based on a fascinating lesser-known case study, this book should be on your shelf. (Latin American Research Review) "This highly recommended book argues persuasively that populism generates forms of political inclusion for marginalized sectors of the society, yet does so in ways that endanger individual liberties." (Choice) "In this substantially expanded edition, Carlos de la Torre extends his insightful analysis of Latin American populism in general, and Ecuadorian populism in particular, to the current government of Rafael Correa. He skillfully demonstrates the ambiguities of populist experiences, which combine political mass involvement and top-down control, and hover between authoritarianism and democracy. An excellent book!" (author of The Politics of Market Reform in Fragile Democracies)