Societies of Fear
The Legacy of Civil War, Violence and Terror in Latin America

Latin America is in the grip of a double challenge - coping with what may be the worst economic crisis since the 1930s while simultaneously consolidating its democratic transition. This is a comprehensive study of the legacy of violence and violent conflict throughout Latin America.

Latin America is in the grip of a double challenge - coping with what may be the worst economic crisis since the 1930s while simultaneously consolidating its democratic transition. This collection explores the ongoing legacy of past conflict, violence and terror in all the most important countries of South and Central America and, in particular whether it could continue to thwart economic recovery, social justice and political consensus and stability. The introductory chapter looks at the various forms of violence in present-day Latin America, their underlying causes, and their implications for the reconstruction of civil society and consolidation of democratic governance. Part one examines the recent civil wars in southern Mexico, Central America and Peru, including a look at the extent to which ethnicity has shaped these conflicts. Part two discusses the historical, political and cultural dimensions of conflict and violence in specific national settings - Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. Finally, the book explores the prospects for an enduring transition from dictatorship - in Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Cuba.

Violence and fear in Latin America, Dirk Kruijt, Kees Koonings. Part 1 The social, political and ethnic dimensions of civil war: exercises in state terrorism - the counter-insurgency campaigns in Guatemala and Peru, Dirk Kruijt
reaping the whirlwind - the Rondas Campesinas and the defeat of Sendero Luminoso in Ayacucho, Carlos Ivan Degregori
"welcome to the nightmare" - thoughts on the faceless warriors of the Lacandona Revolt of 1994, Chiapas, Mexico, Arij Ouweneel. Part 2 The long-term consequences of violence, terror and fear: political violence in post-revolutionary Mexico, alan Knight
the fear of indifference - combatants' anxieties about the political identity of civilians during Argentina's Dirty War, Antonius Robben
from the banality of violence to real terror - the case of Colombia, Daniel Pecaut. Part 3 Peaceful democratic transitions? prospects and problems: collective memories, fears and consensus - the political psychology of the Chilean democratic transition, Patricio Silva
shadows of violence and political transition in Brazil - from military rule to democratic governance, Kees Koonings
transition under fire -rethinking contemporary Mexican politics, Wil Pansters
a loss of purpose - crisis and transition in Cuba, Gert Oostindie
notes on terror, violence, fear and democracy, Edelberto Torres-Rivas.