Latin America Political System Notes

Challenges to Establishing Stable Political Systems

1. After independence in the early 19th century, Latin American nations struggled to create stable governments due to lack of experience with self-rule and the sudden collapse of Spanish and Portuguese colonial administrations.
2. Deep social and economic divisions between Creoles, Indigenous peoples, and those of mixed ancestry weakened unity. Most political power remained concentrated in elite Creole hands, excluding large segments of society.
3. The economies of newly independent nations were fragile. Wars of independence left widespread destruction, disrupted trade networks, and created heavy debt and dependence on foreign loans.
4. Disputes over the balance of power between centralists (favoring strong central governments) and federalists (favoring regional autonomy) sparked constant civil wars and coups, creating political instability.
5. Weak institutions, limited literacy, and poor infrastructure made it difficult to enforce national laws or maintain authority beyond urban centers.

The Nature and Origins of Caudillo Rule

1. The term caudillo refers to a strong, charismatic leader, often a military man, who used personal authority, patronage, and force to maintain order and control in unstable societies.
2. Caudillo rule emerged because colonial hierarchies persisted, and local power often depended on loyalty to individuals rather than institutions.
3. The chaos and power vacuum after independence allowed military leaders who had fought in the wars of liberation to gain political dominance, often justifying their rule as necessary to maintain “order and stability.”
4. Regional conditions such as weak communication networks, vast distances, and local rivalries fostered fragmented authority, allowing local warlords to rise as de facto rulers.