Background
- Between the 1940s and 1970s, many Latin American countries experimented with democracy, but most regimes struggled to survive.
- Weak institutions, economic inequality, and Cold War tensions made democratic governments unstable.
- Leaders often failed to meet public expectations for reform and stability, leading to military coups, authoritarian regimes, or populist takeovers.
- Countries such as Brazil (1964), Chile (1973), and Argentina (1976) illustrate how fragile democracies collapsed under pressure.
Definition
Authoritarianism
- Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the consolidation of power in a single leader or small group, limited political pluralism, repression of dissent, and little to no accountability to the public.
Political Reasons
- Weak institutions
- Political parties were often divided, poorly organized, and lacked strong democratic traditions.
- Corruption and clientelism
- Politicians used favors or money to gain support rather than promoting fair elections or transparency.
- Polarization
- Sharp divides between conservatives and leftists made cooperation difficult in congress and parliaments.
- Military influence
- Armed forces saw themselves as “guardians of order” and intervened whenever civilian governments appeared weak.
- Cold War context
- The United States often supported anti-communist coups, fearing socialist governments in the region (for example, Brazil 1964, Chile 1973).
The Overthrow of Salvador Allende (Chile, 1973)
Rise to Power and Reforms
- Salvador Allende became president in 1970, leading the Unidad Popular (Popular Unity) coalition.
- First Marxist leader elected democratically in Latin America.
- Aimed to create a “Chilean road to socialism” through peaceful, democratic change.
- Nationalized copper mines, banks, and U.S.-owned industries.
- Introduced land reform and raised wages to improve living conditions.
Opposition and Crisis
- Reforms alarmed business elites, the Catholic Church, and middle-class conservatives.
- The economy faced high inflation, shortages, and strikes as production fell.
- The United States cut aid and secretly funded opposition groups through the CIA.
- Society became deeply polarized between left and right.
- By 1973, the military and political opposition were plotting to remove Allende.
The Coup and Its Impact
- On September 11, 1973, General Augusto Pinochet led a military coup to overthrow Allende.
- Allende died in the presidential palace, marking the end of Chile’s democracy.
- Pinochet’s dictatorship (1973–1990) imposed censorship, torture, and executions.
- The coup showed how Cold War tensions, economic instability, and polarization led to the collapse of democracy.
- Allende became a symbol of democratic socialism and resistance to U.S. influence.
Social Reasons
- Deep inequality
- Large gaps between rich elites and poor workers fueled resentment and unrest.
- Rural poverty
