1 Introduction : the pursuit of stability in the Andes -- 2 Colombia : staving off partial collapse -- 3 Bolivia : democracy under pressure -- 4 Peru : the trauma of postdemocratic consolidation -- 5 Venezuela : revolutionary changes under Chavez -- 6 Ecuador : democracy and economy in crisis -- 7 U.S. policy in the Andes : commitments and commitment traps -- 8 From drugs to security : a new U.S. policy toward Colombia -- 9 Conclusion : the Andean crisis in context