Latin America provides an introduction to the volatile economic and political history of the region in the last half century. Beginning with a brief history of Latin America since 1492, John Ward discusses the interactions between economic, political and social issues. The discussions includes:

* the long-term background to the 1980s debt crisis
* the effects of neo-liberal free market reforms
* relations with the United States and the wider world
* welfare provision in relation to wider economic issues
* social trends as reflected by changes in the status of women
* environmental debates
* comparisons with the more dynamic East Asian economies.

This expanded edition brings the story up to date. John Ward updates the book throughout to take into account recent historiography, and considers the current situation in Latin America in relation to the wider world, especially the US. Also included are biographies of the leading figures of the period, among them Peron, Castro and Pinochet.