Democratic governance in Latin America: A state of perpetual decline?
Welcome to the first edition of Latin America 101. In this edition, I’ll be analysing the state of democracy in the Americas. I hope you enjoy it! Don’t forget to subscribe for future analyses!
Democratic governance in Latin America: a state of perpetual decline?
Latin America, a region rich in history, culture, and natural resources, has experienced significant political shifts throughout the last century. From dictatorships to democracies, the journey of these nations showcases both progress and challenges. In this blog, we shall briefly delve into the state of democracy in Latin America, examining the countries with the highest levels of democratic practices, those at the opposite spectrum, and the challenges this region faces in maintaining and improving democratic governance.
In the latest 2023 Latinobarómetro report, the first report to be published since the 2020 pandemic, 48% of Latin Americans believe that democratic governance is preferable to other forms of governance. This is the lowest level of support that has been given to democratic governance since the beginning of the Latinobarómetro in 1995. Furthermore, support for democracies have been in constant decline since 2010 where 63% of the population thought that democracy is the best form of governance. Comparing the 2020 and 2023 reports, we see that support for democracy has increased in 7 countries, whilst there has been decreases in 9 countries. The country that saw the highest increase was Panama whilst Venezuela saw the highest decrease. In addition to this, only 28% of latinos are satisfied with the current state of democracy.
Let us look at some specific cases of democracy in decline and in action.
Democracies at decline
Venezuela
Once one of the most prosperous countries in Latin America, Venezuela's democratic institutions began deteriorating after Hugo Chávez came to power in 1999 as he changed the country’s constitution to remain in power until his death in 2013. Since then Nicolás Maduro came to power and the democratic health of the country has been in perpetual decline. Economic difficulties, coupled with widespread corruption and political repression, has pushed Venezuela to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. According to the EIU Democracy Index, Venezuela is an authoritarian regime and has the lowest level of democratic practice in the Americas.
Nicaragua
Over the past few years, Nicaragua has witnessed a sharp decline in democratic practices. Under President Daniel Ortega, the nation has seen the erosion of its political institutions, media censorship, and violent repression of opposition groups. Nicaragua is classified as an authoritarian regime by the EIU Democracy Index. Furthermore, the Latinobarómetro was unable to collect data from Nicaragua for their 2023 report for fear of the persecution of the participants.
Peru
In the past year, Peru has witnessed democratic turmoil. During proceedings to impeach the previous President, Pedro Castillo, on corruption charges in December 2022, Castillo was given an opportunity to defend himself. Instead of defending himself in front of Congress, he gave a televised speech highlighting his intention to form an auto-golpe i.e. close Congress and governm by himself. As a result, the Congress quickly impeached him and he was later arrested for treason. Then, Dina Boluarte, his vice-president, became the first female President of the country. Since the beginning of Boluarte’s presidency, the country has witnessed mass protests calling for early elections. Security forces responded with disproportionte use of force to the protestsers and over 49 civilians have been killed. Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch have called for an end to this violence and for the respect of civilian rights. In the 2023 Latinobarómetro report, only 8% of Peruvians were satisfied with the democratic governance of their country.
El Salvador
Despite the fact that the 2023 Latinobarómetro recorded a 64% support rate for democracy in the country, the highest-ever level recorded for El Salvador - we must remember that this increase is linked to the fact that the President has been tackling crime in the country, however, using practices that are undemocratic and that violate human rights. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, has been leading a strong crackdown against the country’s gangs and criminal organisations. An initial one month of a state of emergency was launched in the country in March 2022 to tackle gang violence, however, the state of emergency continues to be in force and has been extended 16 times. The current state of emergency is in force until the 14th of August 2023. Over 68,000 people have been detained and put in prison in the crackdown which is heavily criticised by human rights groups such as Amnesty International for its violence but also for the violation of the rights of innocent individuals. Over 130 people have been killed whilst in custody.
Guatemala
Currently Guatemala is in the process of electing its next President. However, the elections have been criticised for being somewhat undemocratic. For instance we saw the judiciary meddling in the elections of the country by banning some candidates. In January 2023, the indigenous leader Thelma Cabrera and former Human Rights attorney Jordán Rodas (now in exile in Spain) were barred from standing in the election as candidates for the Movimiento de Liberación de los Pueblos, a left-wing anti-system political organisation that advocates for the recognition of indigenous rights, as the Electoral Court of Guatemala denied their registrations to participate in the elections. Later in May 2023, Carlos Pineda, a right-wing populist, was also banned from the elections potentially for having previously criticised the corruption within the current government.
Some hope for democracy?
Uruguay
Often lauded as the most stable democracy in Latin America, Uruguay has consistently earned praise for its robust democratic institutions, low levels of corruption, and respect for political rights and civil liberties. Furthermore, the country has the lowest levels of corruption in Latin America as highlighted in the Corruption Perceptions Index. Moreover, it also has the highest rule of law index score in the region. In addition to this, Uruguay has the highest level of support for democracy.
Costa Rica
Known for its peaceful history, Costa Rica dismantled its army in 1949 and invested in education and healthcare instead. This nation stands as a model for democratic practices in Central America, with a strong emphasis on human rights, free press, and a functioning judiciary system. In the 2023 latinobarómetro, Costa Rica had the highest level of support (56%) for democracy amongst Central American countries.
Challenges to Democratic Governance
Corruption
As stated in the Latinobarómetro 2023, one of the most significant impediments to democracy in Latin America is corruption. Since 1990, 22 presidents in 8 countries have been accused, convicted or are in prison for corruption. For instance, all the living, democratically elected former presidents of Peru are or were imprisoned, prosecuted or convicted by the courts of their country. High levels of corruption erodes public trust, weakens institutions, and leads to economic disparity.
Inequality
Latin America still suffers from significant socio-economic inequality. The OECD highlighted that Latin America was the most socio-economic affected country following the COVID-19 pandemic. Such disparities can lead to political instability, as witnessed during the various social protests across the region.
Weak Institutions
Effective democratic governance requires robust institutions that uphold the rule of law. In some nations, these institutions have been compromised, leading to reduced accountability and trust. This can be seen in the case of Guatemala with the judiciary.
Potential Solutions to Improve Democratic Practices
Strengthening Institutions
Ensuring that all institutions are independent and are able to practice their responsibilities freely and without fear of persecution.
Tackling Corruption and Crime
Tackling corruption is vital to make sure that countries have healthy and thriving democracies. Having independent institutions helps to ensure this. When looking at tackling crime it is vital that public organisations have enough funds and also training to be able to do this effectively and in a way that honours the human rights of others.
Participation of Civil Society
Non-governmental organisations, community groups, and other civil society actors play an essential role in safeguarding democratic practices. Supporting and empowering these groups can act as a bulwark against anti-democratic forces.
International Cooperation
Collaborative efforts, such as the Organization of American States (OAS), can play a pivotal role in promoting democratic governance. Such bodies can offer guidance, support, and even intervention when democratic practices are under threat.
Investing in Education
An informed and educated citizenry is the bedrock of a thriving democracy. Investing in education ensures that the populace is aware of its rights and responsibilities and can make informed decisions about its leadership.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tapestry of democracy in Latin America is rich and diverse, painting a multifaceted picture of progress, setbacks, hopes, and challenges. With shifting sentiments towards democratic governance, as evinced by the recent Latinobarómetro report, there is an evident need to reinvigorate democratic beliefs and practices in the region. While some countries, like Uruguay and Costa Rica, stand as beacons of democratic hope, others, plagued by corruption, weak institutions, and inequality, grapple with preserving their democratic ethos. However, it's imperative to understand that democracy is not merely a system of governance but a continuous journey. Strengthening institutions, eradicating corruption, bolstering civil participation, and fostering international cooperation are not just solutions but imperative mandates. As history has repeatedly shown, the spirit of Latin America is resilient. With collective action, shared learning, and regional solidarity, the region can once again herald a democratic renaissance, ensuring that its citizens not only believe in the idea of democracy but also witness its benefits in their daily lives.
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