There is a long tradition of English-speaking North American countries looking down on the south, assuming there is little to learn from their experiences. And yet, in the decades of democratization that began in the early 1980s, Latin American countries have been innovative in a range of policy and cultural experiences, including health care, voting, pensions, and multiculturalism. Even though Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and Cuba have succeeded in areas that are unmatched in the so-called rich world, their policy innovations are rarely found in textbooks.</p><p>This book addresses that gap, providing a fascinating and wide-ranging exploration of both the history of "looking down" at Latin America and the political, economic, and cultural "lessons" (including successes, failures, and unintended consequences) that should inform important policy discussions around the world.