For over thirty years Latin American Politics and Development has kept instructors and students abreast of current affairs in Latin America. Now in its eighth edition, this definitive text has been updated throughout and features contributions from experts in the field, including twenty entirely new chapters on Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. New material addresses Venezuela after the death of Hugo Chavez, Mexico and the continuing drug war, Cuba as Raul Castro changes the revolution of his brother Fidel, and important changes with new presidents in Colombia, Uruguay, and Chile. In addition to detailed country-by-country chapters, Latin American Politics and Development provides a comprehensive regional overview. Five foundational chapters by the editors cover the changing context of Latin American politics, the pattern of historical development, interest groups and political parties, government machinery, the role of the state and public policy, and the struggle for democracy.