Polarization and Democracy in Latin America

Reviews / Votes

"Polarization and Democracy is a brilliant, qualitative leap forward in our understanding of the relationship between the two in our turbulent times. With a clear eye, it anchors the root cause of present day polarization in an all too rarely acknowledged driver of Latin American politics: The push and pull of politics in highly unequal societies with hegemonic classes highly resistant to reform. Efforts to deepen democracy generate strong defensive reactions. The book then masterfully unpacks the dimensions of contemporary polarization and the mechanisms that drive it. In a triumph of historically grounded scholarship, it makes complex processes intelligible, setting the highest standard for the rest of us." -- Eduardo Silva | author of "Challenging Neoliberalism in Latin America" "This book offers an insightful and much-needed analysis of the legacies of Latin America's 'Left Turn.' Drawing lessons from the sobering reality that both social democratic and radical left experiments often ended badly, Anria and Roberts highlight some of the core dilemmas--and structural limitations--facing the democratic left in Latin America. The book also makes a compelling case for rethinking polarization, showing that polarization is both necessary to democratic politics and an inevitable product of movement toward greater social and political inclusion in the region. I recommend this book to anyone interested in politics in contemporary Latin America." -- Steven Levitsky | Harvard University "Combining a rich conceptual framework, terrific case studies, and longitudinal survey data, the authors provide a panoramic and powerful analysis of the rise, fall, and legacies of the Left Turn in Latin America. With a primary focus on the social democratic and populist left, they trace distinct comparative historical origins, democratic imaginaries, and political temptations. Yet, despite these differences, the authors highlight that both lefts ultimately faced polarizing elites, mass protest, and conservative backlash. Informed by the theoretical literature and an impressive command of the cases, they remind us that democracies and polarized conflict are not inherently at odds with one another. This is a powerful reminder that democracy is often forged on the shoals of conflict; alternation in power is expected, especially given enduring, multidimensional inequality and polarization; and democratic institutions are most nimble and healthy when political parties maintain strong social ties with their grassroot bases and avoid autocratic temptations. A powerful comparative analysis of political trajectories in the region and a clarion call for Left parties to engage in deep reflection on lessons learned." -- Deborah Yashar | author of "Homicidal Ecologies: Illicit Economies and Complicit States in Latin America"