Taking a broadly chronological approach to the topic, Lewis (emeritus, political science, Tulane U.) explores the historical and political contexts for the development of differing forms of Latin American authoritarianism. He first explores the caudillo era in Chile, Paraguay, and Brazil as a precursor to the emergence of centralized national dictatorships such as Mexico under Porfirio Díaz and Venezuela under Juan Vicente Gómez. The Mexican Revolution of 1910 and the 1952 Bolivian Revolution are analyzed as two of the points when the masses entered politics and then "corporatism" is discussed as means utilized by the elites to incorporate the working masses into politics. Communist and socialist leaders such as Fidel Castro and Salvador Allende are explored, followed by discussions of the military dictatorships of Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina in the 1970s and 80s. He concludes with an exploration of the prospects of democracy in Latin America. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)