“A coherent, analytically innovative and original perspective on the institutional transformation of regimes in the Andean region and its relationship to democracy.” —Radek Buben and Karel Kouba, “This superb edited volume . . . examines a range of executive aggrandizement—the weakening of checks on executive power—in the Andes. . . . The book wrestles with questions that are at once timely and timeless, and should be on any reading list for scholars of the Andes or students of democracy.” —John Polga-Hecimovich, “Incisively tackles the multiplicity of issues at stake from a comparative perspective, and in ample conversation with the political science literature on democracy.” —Philip Chrimes, "This is the book to read to understand the prospects for democracy in the Andean region. The chapters are full of insights and offer rich and clear analyses that place the latest developments in context." —Gerardo L. Munck, University of Southern California "Offers a thought-provoking framework for understanding democratization in the Andean countries.... This is a must-read for scholars and students interested in democracy, constitutionalism, executive aggrandizement, and institutions in Latin America."— Julio Carrión, University of Delaware Although military coups are rare in the Andean countries, democracies remain prone to deep political crises caused by elected leaders (especially strongmen, or caudillos) who abuse their power—often with broad public approval. What explains this phenomenon? The authors of propose answers to this question. Offering an analytical framework that disaggregates the components of democratic regimes, along with case studies and comparisons from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, they describe and explain political changes within the gray zone between democracy and authoritarianism. CONTENTS: