By María Isabel Puerta Riera This is an updated version of the Spanish article published by Agenda Pública in 2021. Succession Under Autocracy Some analysts and experts in Venezuelan politics refer to Chavismo as a political movement that demands permanence in power. It repudiates the alternation of power. Moreover, this is not some sort of... Continue Reading →
By Laura Gamboa Why Politicians and Parties Matter Politicians and political parties are among the most despised in the Americas. According to LAPOP, Latin American mean trust for political parties is the lowest for any institution (including the military and the police). Meanwhile, “politician” is used as a shorthand for corrupt, spineless, and sold-out. This... Continue Reading →
By María Isabel Puerta Riera This is an updated version of the Spanish article published by Agenda Pública. Venezuela in Crisis Venezuela's crisis has ceased to be a domestic problem, giving way to a regional concern with global implications. The country's deterioration has triggered one of the most severe humanitarian crises of the last decade,... Continue Reading →
By Caitlin Andrews-Lee Charismatic Leadership in Latin America In recent years, charisma has enjoyed a resurgence in political science as leaders around the world deemed to be “charismatic” have risen to power amidst deep crises and used their authority to disrupt the political status quo. Latin America is no stranger to charismatic leadership. Historically, José... Continue Reading →
by Jamie L. Shenk Not so Progressive On August 9, 2022, many Colombians looked on with pride and hope as Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla fighter and the country’s first Leftist leader, was sworn in as president. Standing together with his vice president, Francia Márquez—an internationally recognized environmental activist and the first Afro-Colombian to... Continue Reading →
By María Isabel Puerta Riera Biden In a Crossfire The Biden administration has been under fire since reports in early March suggested a change in the direction of the foreign policy toward Venezuela, including exploring the possibility of sanctions relief if the Nicolás Maduro regime agreed to certain conditions. The breakthrough came amid the global response to... Continue Reading →
Brazil is on Edge: The Two Most Important Civil Society Groups in the Brazilian Presidential Election by Dr Valesca Lima What Happened in the Brazilian Election The world's eyes are on Brazil now, as South America's largest democracy went into a polarized general election on October 1. After an election campaign marked by strong speeches and... Continue Reading →
Latin America’s Pendulum by María Isabel Puerta Riera María is a Political Scientist teaching U. S. Government in Florida. Interested in U. S. and Latin American Politics. Latin America’s Pendulum Over the past decade Latin America has faced significant challenges to governance from critical episodes that have led to the impeachment of Brazil's president to the incarceration of a former... Continue Reading →
Become a Patron! Order Dan Slater and Joseph Wong's From Development to Democracy: The Transformations of Modern Asia. Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. Chile and its Constitution On Sunday, Chile rejected a proposed constitution after three years of protests, negotiating, and hard work from those involved. Nonetheless, it lost in an overwhelming vote... Continue Reading →
Laura Gamboa is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Utah. She is the author of the forthcoming book Resisting Backsliding: Opposition Strategies against the Erosion of Democracy. Become a Patron! Preorder Laura Gamboa's new book Resisting Backsliding: Opposition Strategies against the Erosion of Democracy here. There's always another set of elections.... Continue Reading →
