Parties and Party Systems in Latin America

Abstract

In view of the predominance of military dictatorship in the 1970’s it seemed improbable that a study of political parties could contribute much to an analysis of political processes in Latin America. However, in the mid-80’s the political map of South America is quite different. At the beginning of 1985 only three countries — Chile, Paraguay and Surinam — were ruled by governments which had not been democratically elected. Indeed, various countries long ruled by dictatorships were returning to democratic government (Argentina 1983, Uruguay and Brazil 1985). This return to democracy, despite extremely unfavourable economic conditions and continuing social pauperization, has in the meantime thwarted the generals’ designs of excluding parties from political life for an indefinite period and created new institutional structures. In particular, the unpopular economic policies of the military regimes provoked growing protest among the populace and a resurgence of support for the parties. Since the generals have returned to the barracks — for how long is uncertain — multiparty systems similar to those that existed until the mid-60’s before the armed forces assumed power in almost all South American countries have developed again in most states.