The concept of bureaucratic authoritarianism arose from the study of major episodes of authoritarian rule in South America between the 1960s and the 1980s: Brazil from 1964to1985, Argentina from 1966to1973 and later from 1976to1983, Chile from 1973to1990, and Uruguay from 1973to1985. This body of analysis is closely identified with the writings of Guillermo O'Donnell.