Labor and the Course of American Democracy: US History in Latin American Perspective

 At the start of the 18th century, the richest regions in the Americas lay south of New England and the mid-Atlantic colonies of North America. By the end of the 20th century, this economic geography has been definitively, perhaps irrevocably, reversed. The formerly poor colonies of Europe have become the core of the United States, a global economic colossus and regional overlord, while the once rich former colonies to the south, are among the poorest regions in the world. The dramatic reversal of fortunes lies at the heart of this work on political economy. In a study on economic development and ideological formation in the Americas, the book shows how the much-vaunted achievement of US democracy has been secured by the political stunting of Latin America, and how US historians have systematically ignored the intertwining of Latin America and US history. The final chapters address popular culture, from Donald Duck through to "Dallas", as well as contemporary political issues, such as NAFTA. Charles Bergquist is the author of "Labor in Latin America".

Review: "I found this book to be extremely valuable and challenging to anyone who cares to understand the Americas, its labor movement, and its popular culture-though I can not endorse some of what I consider Professor Bergquist's misunderstanding of my own work during the Allende revolution."-Ariel Dorfman

"Groundbreaking political and ideological analysis ... an indispensable primer for labor and other activists throughout the hemisphere ready to contest the neo-liberal order we face today."-Carol A. Smith, Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Davis

"Lays out a specific series of arguments that have major theoretical and policy implications for those concerned with democratic politics ... original, provocative, and a delight to read."-Harley Shaiken, Professor of Education, University of California, Berkeley

"An extraordinary blend of political economy, labor history, and cultural criticism, this compellingly written written study deserves a very wide audience."-Alex Keyssar, Professor of History, Duke University