Latin American democracy may lose as delivery fails

Subject

Democracy and inclusion.

Significance

A new study by Latinobarometro, a Santiago-based research organisation, depicts a region in which economic progress has been accompanied by increasing scepticism about the performance and advantages of democracy as a system of government. A global Pew Research Center study throws up similar regional reactions.

Impacts

• Doubts about the virtues of democracy will have worrying future consequences if not addressed.
• Economic progress is falling short of expectations and next year’s modest rise in GDP will not assuage unsatisfied demands.
• Dissatisfaction with political parties will create opportunities for outsiders from fields such as entertainment and sports.