The fate of democratic governments throughout the world is a topic of growing concern. The crises of modern history, from the Machtegreifung by Hitler through the downfall of the Allende government in Chile, have caused many to suspect an inevitable downfall of democracies. In a systematic review of the political experiences of Latin American and European democratic nations, these original, thought-provoking books propose a significant new comparative framework for understanding the dynamics of political change and the conditions necessary for democratic stability.

Juan J. Linz is Pelatiah Perit Professor of Political and Social Science at Yale University. Alfred Stephan is Professor of Political Science at Yale University and frequently serves as Chairman of Yale's Council on Latin American Studies.