MEASURING DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IN LATIN AMERICA

In: The journal of politics: JOP, Band 29, Heft 1, S. 129-166

Abstract

Latin Amer att's toward democracy differ from those in the US; they put more emphasis on soc & econ equalitarianism. Nonetheless, it is important to try to measure how democracy in Latin America (as seen by informed persons) changes. This survey is the 5th quinquennial analysis in a series dating back to 1945. It was based on evaluations by 50 specialists giving ratings on 15 criteria, constituting 'components of democracy,' for each of the 20 Latin Amer states. Data were analyzed by computer. The analysis provides rankings by states for each survey, as well as by criteria, presented both tabularly & graphically. The tendency of R's to spread or concentrate their evaluations is examined. R's among the criteria are analyzed. The self-assessed 'familiarity level' of R's with both states & criteria is studied. A comparison between subjective evaluations, used as the basis of this analysis, & objective evaluations drawn from 'census type' data is made. Consensus of the specialists is that Uruguay, Costa Rica, & Chile (in that order) are the most democratic Latin Amer states, & Haiti, Paraguay & Cuba (in that order) the least democratic. IPSA.