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Nationalism --- Decentralization in government --- Nationalisme --- Décentralisation administative --- Latin America --- Amérique latine --- Economic integration --- Intégration économique

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Regionalism --- Decentralization in government --- Local government --- Central-local government relations --- Régionalisme --- Décentralisation administative --- Administration locale --- Relations gouvernement central-collectivités locales --- Case studies --- Congresses --- Cas, Etudes de --- Congrès --- Latin America --- Amérique latine --- Politics and government --- Politique et gouvernement

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Audacious Reforms examines the creation of new political institutions in three Latin American countries: direct elections for governors and mayors in Venezuela, radical municipalization in Bolivia, and direct election of the mayor of Buenos Aires in Argentina. Diverging from the usual incremental processes of political change, these cases marked a significant departure from traditional centralized governments. Such "audacious reforms," explains Merilee S. Grindle, reinvent the ways in which public problems are manifested and resolved, the ways in which political actors calculate the costs and benefits of their activities, and the ways in which social groups relate to the political process. Grindle considers three central questions: Why would rational politicians choose to give up power? What accounts for the selection of some institutions rather than others? And how does the introduction of new institutions alter the nature of political actions? The case studies of Venezuela, Bolivia, and Argentina demonstrate that institutional invention must be understood from theoretical perspectives that stretch beyond immediate concerns about electoral gains and political support building. Broader theoretical perspectives on the definition of nation and state, the nature of political contests, the legitimacy of political systems, and the role of elites all must be considered. While past conflicts are not erased by reforms, in the new order there is often greater potential for more responsible, accountable, and democratic government.

Local elections --- Decentralization in government --- Central-local government relations --- Democracy --- Political participation --- Citizen participation --- Community action --- Community involvement --- Community participation --- Involvement, Community --- Mass political behavior --- Participation, Citizen --- Participation, Community --- Participation, Political --- Political activity --- Political behavior --- Political rights --- Social participation --- Political activists --- Politics, Practical --- Self-government --- Political science --- Equality --- Representative government and representation --- Republics --- Center-periphery government relations --- Local-central government relations --- Local government-central government relations --- Federal government --- Centralization in government --- Devolution in government --- Government centralization --- Government decentralization --- Government devolution --- Local government --- Public administration --- County elections --- Elections, County --- Elections, Local --- Elections, Municipal --- Municipal elections --- Election law --- Elections --- Law and legislation --- Elections locales --- Décentralisation administative --- Relations gouvernement central-collectivités locales --- Démocratie --- Participation politique --- Case studies. --- Case studies --- Cas, Etudes de --- Etudes de cas