Democracy in Crisis Notes

Background

1. Between the 1940s and 1970s, many Latin American countries experimented with democracy, but most regimes struggled to survive.
2. Weak institutions, economic inequality, and Cold War tensions made democratic governments unstable.
3. Leaders often failed to meet public expectations for reform and stability, leading to military coups, authoritarian regimes, or populist takeovers.
4. Countries such as Brazil (1964), Chile (1973), and Argentina (1976) illustrate how fragile democracies collapsed under pressure.

Political Reasons

1. Weak institutions
   1. Political parties were often divided, poorly organized, and lacked strong democratic traditions.
2. Corruption and clientelism
   1. Politicians used favors or money to gain support rather than promoting fair elections or transparency.
3. Polarization
   1. Sharp divides between conservatives and leftists made cooperation difficult in congress and parliaments.
4. Military influence
   1. Armed forces saw themselves as “guardians of order” and intervened whenever civilian governments appeared weak.
5. Cold War context
   1. The United States often supported anti-communist coups, fearing socialist governments in the region (for example, Brazil 1964, Chile 1973).

Social Reasons

1. Deep inequality
   1. Large gaps between rich elites and poor workers fueled resentment and unrest.
2. Rural poverty
   1. Landowners resisted reform, while peasants demanded redistribution and rights.
3. Urbanization
   1. Rapid growth of cities led to unemployment, housing shortages, and social tension.
4. Rise of radical movements
   1. Student, labor, and peasant organizations demanded faster reforms than elected leaders could deliver.
5. Fear of communism
   1. The upper and middle classes often turned to the military to protect their interests when protests increased.

Economic Reasons

1. Dependence on exports
   1. Latin American economies relied heavily on commodities like coffee, copper, and sugar.
   2. Falling global prices caused crises that undermined democratic governments.
2. Inflation and debt
   1. Populist spending and weak fiscal policies led to rising prices and economic instability.
3. Foreign influence
   1. Reliance on U.S. aid or investment limited leaders’ ability to make independent policies.
4. Failure to deliver growth
   1. Economic stagnation led to public frustration and loss of faith in democratic processes.