"An immense contribution to understanding what is most distinctive about the rise of the new left in the region." European Review of Latin American and Carribean Studies "Brings the region's leftist politics into a fresh and serious light. A middle ground for a more objective assessment of socialist politics in Latin America was missing - until now." Global Journal "Philip and Panizza's highly accessible opus takes a far more nuanced approach to the question of plebiscitary democracy than do US political scientists." International Affairs "In their highly detailed and perceptive work of comparative political science, Philip and Panizza make it clear that it is time to begin thinking seriously about a democratic future that looks nothing like we once thought it would." The European Legacy "This book carefully dissects the politics and policies of the three most prominent radical regimes in Latin America. It is informative, perceptive and balanced and makes a major contribution to the debate on the nature of the Left in Latin America." Alan Angell, St Antony's College, Oxford "George Philip and Francisco Panizza are to be congratulated on writing this timely and much needed analysis of contemporary Latin American politics. With their focus on the '21st century socialism' of Chavez, Morales and Correa, the authors locate the return of populism, economic nationalism and anti-imperialism within the history of the region and within a comparative overview of the 'Pink Tide' of left-of-centre governments of recent decades. This book will be essential reading for all those interested in radical democratic politics." Maxine Molyneux, Institute for the Study of the Americas, University of London