Los retos actuales de la política en América Latina

Abstract

This article explores Latin America´s current problems from the perspective of the state. First, it analyzes cross-national variation in the quality of democracy between the years 2006 and 2012; and it presents several factors that contribute to explaining these differences. Next, it pays greater attention to three very different aspects of democracy: the role of elections in the democratization process over the last three decades; the existing relationship among political leadership, political careers, and the professionalization of politicians; and, finally, public safety.