Political Parties and Generations in Paraguay's Liberal Era, 1869-1940 - Hardcover

Lewis, Paul H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807820784 ISBN 13: 9780807820780

Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press, 1993

Synopsis

From a North American perspective, the turbulence that dominated Paraguayan politics during the Liberal Era appears so pervasive as to approach anarchy. But in this seemingly haphazard succession of administrations, political machines, and governmental systems, Paul Lewis sees a pattern of evolution. His astute examination of political institutionalization employs the concept of political generations to explain Paraguayan conflict and change while analyzing a significant but understudied period of Paraguayan history. Lewis chronicles the growth of the two major Paraguayan parties, the Liberals and the Colorados, from their early days as political clubs through periods of personalist caudillo politics, national machine politics, and finally institutionalized party politics. Arguing that coalitions formed along generational lines and then held power until a new--and often younger--group pushed them aside, he ties the rise and fall of party fortunes to generational change. Lewis constructs a multistage theory of political party development that makes sense not only of Paraguay's Liberal Era but also of political turmoil in many Latin American states. Originally published in 1993. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

About this title

Review

"An authoritative and valuable contribution to understanding the politics of a country presently in the midst of change."--"Choice"

"A groundbreaking contribution. . . . Paul Lewis's research is meticulous, and this work is indispensable for any student of modern Paraguay."--Jerry W. Cooney, University of Louisville

"A good, solid, historical work."--"American Historical Review"

Synopsis

Lewis (political science, Tulane U.) untangles what looked to North Americans like the total chaos in Paraguay during the Liberal Era. Employing a concept of political generations, he chronicles the growth of the two political parties, the Liberals and the Colorados, and shows how in each generation, coalitions formed to pursue common interests and

About this edition

• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0807820784
• ISBN 13: 9780807820780
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248