This topic covers the political systems, ideologies, and institutions of the region including the role of the state, democracy, authoritarianism, and foreign relations.
Colonialism: The impact of European colonization on Latin America, including the forced migration of African slaves.
Democracy and dictatorship: The history of democratic and dictatorial governments in Latin America, and their impact on politics and society.
Economic development: The role of international trade, foreign investment and politics in the development of Latin American economies.
Political institutions: The structure, functions and effectiveness of political institutions, including the judiciary and legislative branches of government.
Political parties: The evolution of political parties in Latin America including their ideologies, aims and strategies.
Corruption: The pervasiveness of corruption in Latin American politics and its effects on political stability and economic growth.
Social movements: The history, ideologies and goals of social movements in the region, including feminist and indigenous movements.
International relations: The relationship between Latin America and the rest of the world, including the United States.
Drug trafficking: The impact of the drug trade on politics, society and economic development in Latin America.
Security and violence: The prevalence of violence in politics in Latin America, including drug cartel wars, political instability and human rights violations.
Populism: Political movements that advocate for the rights of working-class people in the country. Populist politicians often use anti-establishment and nationalist rhetoric to appeal to the masses.
Authoritarianism: A political system in which the government is run by a single dictator or a small group of elites with absolute power. This type of politics is often characterized by oppression, censorship, and human rights abuses.
Socialism: A political ideology based on communal ownership and control of the means of production. Socialists believe that a country's wealth should be distributed equally among all of its citizens.
Neoliberalism: An economic ideology that emphasizes the importance of free market capitalism, privatization, and deregulation. Neoliberal policies often prioritize economic growth over social welfare programs.
Indigenous Politics: Movements centered around the rights of indigenous communities in Latin America. These groups often advocate for greater autonomy and self-determination for their communities, as well as the recognition of their cultural heritage and traditions.
Feminism: Political movements centered around women's rights and gender equality. Feminist movements in Latin America have been influential in the fight against gender-based violence and the recognition of women's political rights.
Environmentalism: Political movements that advocate for the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources. These movements often fight against industrial development and policies that prioritize economic growth over environmental protection.