Review by Choice Review
This is an extremely well-researched, well-written, and ultimately pessimistic view of attempts by two recent Colombian presidents to overcome myriad obstacles to state-building in that country. Kline (Univ. of Alabama) has drawn on extensive research and on years of involvement with Colombia to produce a book that has both theoretical impact and historical importance. Colombia, in common with other Latin American nations, has had to overcome historical, geographical, and social obstacles to the erection of a truly democratic society. In addition, Colombia almost uniquely faces myriad problems of guerrilla groups, a pervasive drug culture, and paramilitary groups, all of which operate with varying degrees of impunity. Kline analyzes attempts by Presidents Virgilio Barco (1986-90) and Cesar Gaviria (1990-94) to deal with these obstacles to democratic stability and to change the rules of the political game through constitutional reform. That both presidents ultimately failed in their attempts, and that their two successors have also failed to alter what one Colombian political scientist called the Hobbesian status quo, only validate Kline's pessimistic conclusions about the future of democratic state-building in Colombia. The lessons of this excellent, deeply felt book apply not only to Colombia but to attempts at democratic state building everywhere. Highly recommended for undergraduate, graduate, faculty, and research collections. E. A. Duff; Randolph-Macon Woman's College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
