With the collapse of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986 came optimistic hopes for a transition toward a sound democracy, accompanied by economic development and social peace--a vision which has failed to materialize in the past 15 years. A native of Haiti, Fatton (government, U. of Virginia) analyzes Haitian politics from 1986 to 2001, revealing the complications and conflicts which have slowed the country's progress toward an effective democracy. The author also explores alternatives which could lead the country toward success. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This study of comparative political development provides insights into the likelihood that the liberal-democratic system of government will become institutionalized in industrializing and non-industrialized countries in the wake of neoliberalism - the global economic and political changes currently underway. It argues that over the near to medium term, liberal-democratic governance will plant roots of systematic stability only in that subset of developing countries in which preconditions for democracy already exist. In addition, the author argues that some liberal-democratic governmental institutions and processes, such as parliaments, legislatures, and general elections, will become established in other developing countries such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and eventually Cuba - countries in which the cultural and attitudinal preconditions for democracy remain absent or underdeveloped, and undermined by the fragile base upon which these new democracies rest.