Democratic Governance and Social Cohesion
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There is a growing consensus among scholars in international development and financial institutions that Latin America’s historically low levels of taxation on personal income and wealth, along with regressive forms of taxation and spending, impede sustainable reductions in the region’s disproportionately high levels of poverty and inequality. more
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The Program’s work on democratic governance focuses on questions of improving democratic quality and state capacity, the relationship between democratization and internal armed conflict, the resurgence of populism, and the protection of human rights. It also explores the impact of public policies to promote social cohesion and address the region’s persistently high inequalities. The Program’s current approach builds on three decades of prior work on democratic governance at the Wilson Center, including path-breaking studies of the breakdown of democratic regimes, transitions from authoritarianism, challenges to the consolidation of democratic rule, decentralization, and the fostering of citizenship and socio-economic inclusion.
Resources
Latin America's Development and Social Agenda
June 15, 2011 // 4:00pm — 6:00pm
On the occasion of the first meeting of the Latin American Program Advisory Board, Wendy Luers leads former Uruguayan President Dr. Tabaré Vázquez and other distinguished Board members in a discussion on the region's development and social agenda. more
La "nueva izquierda " en America Latina: Derechos humanos, participacion politica, y sociedad civil
This book explores the phenomenon of leftist governments in Latin America from the perspective of human rights and civic participation. Topics include accountability for past violations, new challenges in promoting human rights, political participation and civil state society, and social politics and civil society. more
Latin American Elections 2011-2012: What Do They Tell Us?
December 13, 2011 // 12:30am — 3:00pm
In previous events in this series, we examined results of the presidential elections in Guatemala and Argentina. This time we will take an in-depth look at Nicaragua’s presidential elections of November 6, 2011, and Colombia’s regional and municipal elections of October 30, 2011. Looking ahead to two of the hemisphere’s most important contests in 2012, we will explore pre-electoral dynamics in Mexico and Venezuela. more
Venezuela’s Primary Elections: What To Expect?
February 2, 2012 // 9:00am — 11:00am
Venezuelans will go to the polls next Sunday. In a rare showing of unity, opposition parties have agreed to select a single candidate to challenge President Chávez in the October elections, hoping to end more than a decade of his control of the presidency. Pollster Luis Vicente León discusses what lies ahead for Venezuela and the chances of an opposition victory. more
Two Decades after El Salvador’s Peace Accords: Current Challenges
January 30, 2012 // 9:00am — 11:30am
In the twenty years since the signing of the Peace Accords, El Salvador has made impressive progress in expanding political and media freedoms, reforming the military and security forces, lowering rates of poverty and inequality, improving respect for human rights, and reforming electoral institutions. Today, however, El Salvador faces unprecedented security and economic challenges. An upsurge in transnational crime, including narcotics, weapons, and human trafficking, has intersected with longstanding problems of gang violence such that El Salvador suffers one of the highest homicide rates in the world. El Salvador’s economy continues to struggle amidst the global recession and weak economic recovery in the United States, the country’s largest export market. more
Latin American Elections 2011-2012: What Do They Tell Us?
December 13, 2011 // 12:30pm — 3:00pm
In previous events in this series, we examined results of the presidential elections in Guatemala and Argentina. This time we will take an in-depth look at Nicaragua’s presidential elections of November 6, 2011, and Colombia’s regional and municipal elections of October 30, 2011. Looking ahead to two of the hemisphere’s most important contests in 2012, we will explore pre-electoral dynamics in Mexico and Venezuela. more
La "nueva izquierda " en America Latina: Derechos humanos, participacion politica, y sociedad civil
This book explores the phenomenon of leftist governments in Latin America from the perspective of human rights and civic participation. Topics include accountability for past violations, new challenges in promoting human rights, political participation and civil state society, and social politics and civil society. more
Policing Democracy: Overcoming Obstacles to Citizen Security in Latin America
In this book, Mark Ungar situates Latin America at a crossroads between its longstanding form of reactive policing and a problem-oriented approach based on prevention and citizen participation. Drawing on extensive case studies from Argentina, Bolivia, and Honduras, he reviews the full spectrum of areas needing reform: criminal law, policing, investigation, trial practices, and incarceration. more
Democratic Deficits:Addressing Challenges to Sustainability and Consolidation Around the World
This book comparatively explores the obstacles countries face in sustaining and consolidating democratic systems. Topics include social services, poverty, and inequality, specific case studies, and how government policy and development practices improve the quality of life of citizens in democratic regimes. more
