Democracy Off to a Rocky Start in Latin America, Studies Conclude

  
Two studies of current Latin American politics published this month offer a discouraging assessment of the state of democracy in the region. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) released its annual Economic and Social Progress Report on May 8, just a few days after the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) published its Strategic Survey 1999/2000. According to the IDB, "the Latin American panorama is characterized by weak political parties, an apathetic attitude toward democracy, a weak judicial system, low levels of interest in politics, and political impasse among legislative and executive powers." The IISS report concurs, finding that "with some notable exceptions, democracy in most Latin American countries has not delivered. Instead, it has become associated with corruption, crime and violence."

The IDB reports that only 35% of Latin Americans are satisfied with democracy, compared to 47% of Europeans. The IISS observes that "the same citizens who 10 years ago toppled military governments and led marches, elections and plebiscites to institute democracy at any price, are now disenchanted with the corruption and economic and social instability that have characterized their political experience."

Public apathy and apparent acceptance of the arbitrary behavior of their leaders has led some observers-including Guillermo O'Donnell-to express concern that Latin America may be turning toward a type of "delegative democracy," the IDB notes. This term describes a situation in which citizens elect their leaders but give up their political control over them. The IISS elaborates on this idea, reporting that countries that did away with authoritarian military regimes are "embracing a series of new leaders less committed to democratic practices." However, both organizations acknowledge that the establishment of a solid and stable democratic political system takes time, and that democracy is still in a process of consolidation in Latin America. As examples of countries in the region that have undergone this process in recent years the IISS cites Chile, Mexico and Argentina.

The IDB report includes polls showing that while Latin Americans in general support the concept of democracy, they express far less approval for the way the system has functioned in practice. The IISS points to the rise of neopopulism as a reaction to the social, political and economic tensions associated with the transition to democracy.

Fundamental to democracy, the IDB notes, are institutions to oversee enforcement of the law and safeguard the public interest from ambitious or corrupt politicians. Key components are an independent and effective judiciary, as well as a legislature with an opposition presence to monitor the actions of the governing party. The IDB's findings, however, reveal a low degree of public confidence in the judiciary in Latin America, especially in Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela. Party factionalism and divided governments have also created a serious impasse in some countries.

Other disturbing trends highlighted in the IDB report are the decreased levels of political participation and scarce means to disseminate political and civic information in many Latin American countries. Faced with these problems, the IDB recommends that political reform efforts in the region concentrate on reforming the electoral system, the internal structure of political parties, the judicial and legislative branches, and channels for political participation.

The most encouraging aspect of the IDB and IISS reports is their conclusion that a low degree of satisfaction with democracy does not necessarily mean a rejection of democratic principles. The implied hope is that Latin Americans' support for democratic systems will make it very difficult for their leaders to turn the clock back.

See www.iadb.org, www.isn.ethz.ch