Globalization on the Ground: Postbellum Guatemalan Democracy and Development [Paperback]

Globalization on the Ground brings together the thinking of a group of concerned scholars on the problems of the development of democracy in the post-civil war era. Four of the contributors are Guatemalans with long records of understanding the dynamics of their country, and the remainder are North Americans, most of whom are longtime observers. The authors pose questions and issues that speak to the difficulties currently confronting Guatemala.An impressive overview of key issues necessary to understanding contemporary Guatemala in historicaland to some extent regionalcontext. It is in bringing these reflections together in one place, and in English, that the book makes its single most important contribution. It is as up-to-date, comprehensive and consistently intelligent a treatment as have in English of any single Central American country.For scholars interested in the prospects for democracy and development in Guatemala, this book represents a uniquely important contribution.Globalization on the Ground offers us an in-depth picture of the prospects and difficulties of a democratic transition in Guatemala following its civil war. Its story, told by Guatemalan and U.S. scholars, has lessons about power and ethnicity applicable around the globe, and should be read by far more than the area specialists. It is the story of the uncertain hopes of our current world scene.This book presents research, analysis, and reflections on the major issues of Guatemalan development and democracy: the role of the military, the involvement of Mayan communities in national development, the possible emergence of more inclusive political institutions and the roles of international forces and agencies in Guatemalan social change. The chapters in this book are written by some of the most prominent scholars and public policy experts from Guatemala and the United States.This book presents research, analysis, and reflections on the major issues of Guatemalan development and democracy: thel“7