| The Quality of Democracy: Theory and Applications Contributor(s): O'Donnell, Guillermo (Editor), Cullell, Jorge Vargas (Editor), Iazzetta, Osvaldo M. (Editor) |
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ISBN: 0268037191 ISBN-13: 9780268037192 Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press OUR PRICE: $99.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: October 2004 Annotation: In 1996, Guillermo O'Donnell taught a seminar at the University of Notre Dame on democratic theory. One of the questions explored in this seminar was whether it is possible to define and determine the "quality" of democracy. Jorge Vargas Cullell, a member of this seminar, returned to his native country of Costa Rica, formed a small research team, and secured funding for undertaking a "citizen audit" of the quality of democracy in Costa Rica. This pathbreaking volume contains O'Donnell's qualitative theoretical study of the quality of democracy and Vargas Cullell's description and analysis of the empirical data he gathered on the quality of democracy in Costa Rica. It also includes twelve short, scholarly reflections on the O'Donnell and Vargas Cullell essays. The primary goal of this collection is to present the rationale and methodology for implementing a citizen audit of democracy. The book is an expression of a growing concern among policy experts and academics that the recent emergence of numerous democratic regimes, particularly in Latin America, cannot conceal the sobering fact that the efficacy and impact of the new governments vary widely. These variations, which range from acceptable to dismal, have serious consequences for the people of Latin America, many of whom have received few if any benefits from democratization. Attempts to gauge the quality of particular democracies are therefore not only fascinating intellectual exercises but may also be useful practical guides for improving both old and new democracies. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Political Ideologies - Democracy - Political Science | World - Caribbean & Latin American - History | Latin America - Central America |
| Dewey: 321.8 |
| LCCN: 2004016399 |
| Series: Kellogg Institute Democracy and Development |
| Physical Information: 1.01" H x 6.34" W x 9.2" (1.20 lbs) 288 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Latin America |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The primary goal of this collection is to present the rationale and methodology for implementing a citizen audit of democracy. This book is an expression of a growing concern among policy experts and academics that the recent emergence of numerous democratic regimes, particularly in Latin America, cannot conceal the sobering fact that the efficacy and impact of these new governments vary widely. These variations, which range from acceptable to dismal, have serious consequences for the people of Latin America, many of whom have received few if any benefits from democratization. Attempts to gauge the quality of particular democracies are therefore not only fascinating intellectual exercises but may also be useful practical guides for improving both old and new democracies. |
Contributor Bio(s): Cullell, Jorge Vargas: - Jorge Vargas Cullell is coordinator of the Citizen Audit on the Quality of Democracy in Costa Rica and assistant director of the annual report on the State of the Nation, Costa Rica.O'Donnell, Guillermo: - Guillermo O'Donnell was the Helen Kellogg Professor of Government and International Studies at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of Counterpoints and co-editor of Poverty and Inequality in Latin America and The (Un)Rule of Law and the Underprivileged in Latin America, all published by the University of Notre Dame Press. |