The Prospects for

Global Democracy

Sylvia Espinoza, Ai Morimoto, Midori Araki, Xi Jia, Risa Takahashi

International Studies 190Professor Peter Smith

April 19, 2012

Chapter 8: Latin America’s Uneasy Progress

By: Sylvia Espinoza

Unlike the others…

• First member of Peru’s country majority of indigenous descent to be democratically chosen for president

• an “Indian against poverty” (171)

• Presidential term: successes vs. failures

• Lessons learned from his term as president

Alejandro ToledoPresident of Peru from 2001 to 2006

Democratic Hopes in America

Every military regime in Latin American region GONE

• Almost every region democratic

• somewhat free and fair elections

• multiparty electoral competition

• decrease of military influence on politics

There has been progress!

What qualifies these governments as democratic?

What effects on politics and society are being seen as a result of the transition to

democracy? • Reorientation of Left and Right party ideals – More moderate

• Inclusion of previously marginalized groups • Higher levels of accountability for past human rights abuses • Reduction of political influence and role of military in Latin America

3 regions concerning the varying degrees of Democracy

1.Liberal democracies• Uruguay, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, Panama,

Dominican Republic, Venezuela2.Illiberal democracies• Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Honduras, Bolivia

3.Pseudo-democracies• Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Bolivia,

Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay

The Promise of Democracy

¾ of Latin American citizens prefer democracy over other forms of government…

… though they are not happy with the way democracy is performing in their country.

What do the citizens of Latin America perceive as the problems with

democracy?• 58% say votes can change future outcomes,

but corruption and low levels of regime responsiveness are their concerns

• 70% see little to no equality before their country’s eyes

• 2/3 see the government as serving powerful interest groups, eliciting little confidence in politicians or institutions

How has democracy failed?

• Full rights of citizenship not guaranteed to ethnic & racial minorities and the poor

• Crime and violence rampant• Police and state corrupt• Judiciary incompetent = justice slow

Democracy real, but shallow.

Why are there so many problems?

• Weak-rule of law• Poor “romanticize” crime• Corruption• Cynicism of political parties

POVERTY INEQUALITY

Securing democracy in the AmericasSome progress is better than no progress…

... But there is still a lot of work that has to be done.

Alejandro Toledo’s 3 Parallel Paths:

1)There must be fundamentals of economic policy to generate sustained growth2)Targeted programs to address poverty needed 3)Efforts needed to strengthen democratic institutions of accountability and representation