Research

The Political Economy of Policy Volatility in Latin America           

 David Doyle                                                                          1

The Effect of Unions and Organized Civil Society on Social Policy :

Pension and Health Reforms in Argentina and Brazil, 1988-2008

 Sara Niedzwiecki                                                                 22

As Clear as MUD: Characteristics, Objectives, and Strategies of the

Opposition in Bolivarian Venezuela

 Barry Cannon                                                                      49

Narrowing the Gap : Explaining the Increasing Competitiveness

of the Venezuelan Opposition

 Yordan K. Kutiyski and Andre Krouwel                                     71

Filling In the Missing Link Between Universalism and Democracy :

The Case of Costa Rica

 Juliana Martinez Franzoni and Diego Sanchez Ancochea          98

Rules of Procedure as a Cause of Legislative Paralysis:

The case of Costa Rica, 2002-2012

 Fabian A. Borges                                                                  119

Research Note

Reducing Poverty Intensity: What Alternative Poverty Measures

Reveal About the Impact of Brazil's Bolsa Familia

 Russell Bither-Terry                                                               143

Critical Debates

New Perspectives on Violence and State Power in Latin America

 Matthias vom Hau                                                                   159