Latin American democracy is in poor but surprisingly stable health
The pandemic has fuelled indifference more than authoritarianism
LESS THAN half of Latin Americans are committed democrats and a growing number are indifferent towards their country’s political regime. A large majority remain deeply dissatisfied with the way their democracies work in practice and they place little trust in their institutions or in each other. They are opposed to military government but a growing number are prepared to accept elected caudillos (strongmen). And they continue to have more trust in the United States than China.
This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “Democracy’s scorecard”
From the October 9th 2021 edition
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