Latin America: Is democracy delivering?
Tuesday 18th October, 2007
16:00 GMT / 11:00 EST
With the exception of Cuba, the whole of Latin America is now governed by democratically elected administrations. However, the unprecedented lack of citizen interest surrounding the Argentine presidential elections on October 28 may be symptomatic of disappointment with the achievements of democracy, the lack of real alternative models and leaders, and the perception that traditional parties are increasingly distant from the citizens they purport to represent.
This call will examine the outlook for regional democracy, addressing issues such as:
- Will the political risks implied by continuing high levels of poverty and inequality critically undermine political and economic stability? Is there a risk of reversal of the democratisation process?
- How can institutions be strengthened? What scope is there for tackling widespread corruption, and what are the risks of not doing so?
- Can political parties regain their representational capacity, or is there a risk of a rise in ‘personalist’ politics?
- How do democratic governments elected in a context of broad dissatisfaction with US-backed economic and foreign policy manage their relationship with Washington, and vice-versa?
- To what extent is the Venezuelan experience under Chavez replicable elsewhere?
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