Democracy and the World: South America

Making Democracy Work Common PracticesConditions that Foster those Practices Free Elections Having more than one political party Universal suffrage (the right to vote) Citizen Participation High levels of education and literacy Economic security Freedoms of speech, press, and assembly Majority rule, minority rights All citizens equal before the law Shared national identity Protection of such individual rights as freedom of religion Representatives elected by citizens to carry out their will Constitutional Government Clear body of traditions and laws on which government is based Widespread education about how government works National acceptance of majority decisions Shared belief that no one is above the law

Case Studies: Brazil, Mexico and Argentina

Democracy in Brazil After gaining freedom from colonialism Brazil floundered trying and failing in the creation of a stable form of government including dictatorship, monarchy, and socialism. By the 1980s the government loosed its grip on the political system in an effort to cure the recession gripping the country. This allowed for direct elections Since the 1980s the country has struggled due to continuing economic troubles and continues on the path to create a stable democracy.

Democracy in Mexico In 1917, after the Mexican Revolution, Mexico enjoyed political stability that would last throughout much of the 1900s. In the 1930s and early 40s the government promoted land reform and labor rights to improve the lives of the people. In 1946, the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party) gained power and moved away from reforms. The further gained continuous control of the congress and won every presidential election. Though the economy was growing it was at the expense of the people and many Mexicans began to struggle for survival. In addition the government was also massively indebt causing the Mexican people to protest which the government did not accept well. Finally in 2000, the PRI lost power. In 2006 Vicente Fox was elected president and began his agenda to reform Mexico.

Democracy in Argentina A major exporter of grain and beef with a large populace of working class, the people of Argentina elected Juan Peron in 1946 as president. However, he quickly established a dictatorship. He and his wife Eva (Evita) ruled Argentina creating a welfare state for the people as well as social programs but limited personal freedoms Peron was forced out by his enemies (military and Catholic Church) The military established a brutal dictatorship. By the 1980s many people simply “disappeared” The military was forced to step down in 1982 when they lost a war with England over the Falkland Islands and were forced out of power. Throughout the 1980s the country elected several presidents who worked to return Argentina back to democracy. During the 1990s Argentina was plagued with economic problems which continued into the 2000s. In 2006 Argentina was able to renegotiate its debt and was able to pay it off.