University Press of America
Pages: 268
•
Trim: 6 x 9
978-0-7618-6644-2 • Paperback • September 2015 • $48.99 • (£38.00)
978-0-7618-6645-9 • eBook • September 2015 • $46.50 • (£36.00)
Dr. Perina currently teaches at George Washington University.
Preface
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Democracy In The Americas: The Struggle For Survival
Chapter 3: Cold War Challenges to Democracy and Early OAS Efforts to Defend It (1948–1985)
Chapter 4: The International Promotion of Democracy
Chapter 5: The New Diplomatic and Legal Instruments for the Collective Promotion and Defense of Democracy
Chapter 6: The Inter-American Democratic Charter
Chapter 7: Technical Assistance For Democracy Promotion: Theory and Practice
Chapter 8: Electoral Observation: Between Relevance and Interference
Chapter 9: The Survival of Democracy and OAS Relevance
Chapter 10: Institutional Tensions and Weaknesses
Chapter 11: The Challenging Hemispheric Horizon
Chapter 12: Suggestions for Revitalization
Bibliography
Argentine-born Perina brings 30 years of experience working at senior levels of the Organization of American States to this insider’s account of the institution’s many strengths, multiple triumphs, and evident weaknesses…. Perina concludes with a detailed list of recommendations for returning the OAS to its former glory while correcting its errors. With the retreat of authoritarian rule in important countries such as Argentina, the time may be right for Perina’s well-informed proposals for how to reinvigorate inter-American diplomacy.
— Foreign Affairs
This book is timely because the Member States and the Secretary General of the OAS have finally come around to face the unavoidable modernization of the Organization. The insider’s views and proposals presented here, sometimes radical, will greatly enrich the debate the OAS needs.
— Hugo De Zela, Ambassador of Peru to the OAS (2010-2011) and Chief of Staff of the OAS General Secretariat (1989–1994, 2011–2015)
This is an important and highly topical book. It examines how the organization promotes and defends democracy among its member states, while pointing out the weaknesses and shortcomings that have constrained its initiatives. The book will be very useful to students, academics, diplomats and practitioners involved in the field of democracy promotion.
— Eusebio Mujal-León, Georgetown University
Dr. Perina’s . . . revealing book provides keen insights about the OAS democracy promotion successes and shortcomings and into the challenges posed to the OAS by the recent erosion of democracy in Venezuela and other Latin American countries . . . Dr. Perina also expertly reviews the history of democracy in the hemisphere since Independence . . . the recent past.
— Cynthia McClintock, George Washington University
Lucid analysis of the tensions that exist today at the OAS, between age-old principles of sovereignty and non-intervention and newer values for the collective defense of democracy . . .
— Roberto Alvarez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the OAS (2005–2008)
This is a fundamental book for all those concerned with democratic values and practices in Latin America . . . Dr. Perina draws upon a formidable experience at the OA to illustrate the current democratic deficit in Latin America.
— Jaime Aparicio, Former OAS Executive Secretary of the Summits of the Americas
Dr. Perina has produced for us the first comprehensive work chronicling the successes and failures of the world’s oldest political international organization to promote and strengthen democracy in the Americas up to now . . . Some of his recommendations are political, others administrative. Some may be easily achievable; others not. But all require careful consideration . . .
— William M. Berenson, American University, Former OAS General Counsel