Despite hopes and wishes for democracy, the political reality in Latin America today is that corporatism and authoritarianism continue to be far stronger than the current literature would suggest. Analyzing this provocative thests, the authors of these essays argue that democracy is in deep trouble in almost all countries of the region. Though 19 of the 20 countries (all except Cuba) are at least formally democratic, these scholars maintain that corporatism and authoritarianism - whether disguised or submerged - are both alive and functioning, and that they exist alongside and overlap with democratic institutions. Indeed, their persistence may be the most important factor explaining the weakness of democracy in Latin America.