What accounted for the rise of conservative parties in many democratizing Latin American countries in the 1980s and 1990s? Does this augur well for the stable representation of the propertied and socially privileged in political parties? In Class and Conservative Parties Edward Gibson examines these questions in light of Latin America's long legacies of authoritarianism and democratic instability.

While previous studies have stressed ideological criteria as defining characteristics of conservative parties, Gibson defines them as parties that draw their core constituencies from the upper strata of society. He thus provides a new approach to the comparative study of conservative parties and offers theoretical insights into the dynamics of conservative electoral coalition-building.

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Using Argentine politics as his main case, Gibson addresses the causes of that country's troubled patterns of conservative party development through several historical periods. He also traces the evolving alliance between conservatives and the armed forces, which culminated in the failed 1976-1983 military government. His analysis of conservative efforts to organize democratically provides insights into the continuing problems of conservative party development in modern Argentina.

Placing Argentina in a larger comparative context. Gibson also examines the determinants of conservative party development in Latin America. He gives special attention to the interaction between core constituencies, party leaders, and the state and offers a thoughtful look forward at conservatism's future in the region. Class and Conservative Parties will be of interest to scholars and students of comparative politics, especially those interested in party development and democratic consolidation.