The Americas

Thirty years after the start of the “third wave” of democratization, Latin America has shown important progress particularly in the area of electoral democracy. Latin Americans are selecting their leaders through elections widely recognized as free and fair.

At the same time however, the region faces critical challenges in the area of governance results. Persistent poverty coupled with some of the world’s highest levels of inequality have shaken citizens’ confidence in the results of democracy and led to disenchantment with political institutions, especially political parties and parliaments.

Citizen dissatisfaction with their elected leaders has led to street protests, like the ones that have forced six leaders out of office since 2000. Particularly vulnerable are the Andean nations which face challenges including political polarization, violence and insecurity. Not surprisingly, the Andes suffers from Latin America’s highest levels of political instability, and is also the only subregion that has seen poverty rates — both in percentage and absolute terms — rise in the last 15 years.

In this context, International IDEA’s work in Latin America is focused on improving the quality of the region’s democratic processes through reform, research and policy activities carried out in partnership with national, regional and international actors.

Regional highlights include::

Knowledge resources

• Publications: International IDEA has produced a wide range of publications on Latin America covering topics such as political parties, electoral reform, women’s political participation and the relationship between democracy and development. See list of publications
  
  
• Research: In 2008, International IDEA is carrying out applied research on political and electoral reform in Latin America, political leadership in the Andes, the impact of political party reform in Peru, best practices in women’s participation in political parties and women’s parliamentary caucuses as a mechanism for gender equality.

Policy development

• International IDEA’s work in applied research and democratic reform is designed to engage and promote dialogue among national, regional and international partners. In 2008, International IDEA is scheduled to organize a reflection process on lessons learned for the international cooperation community in political party assistance.

Assistance to democratic reform

• Constitution building – Constitutions represent one of the fundamental building blocks of democracy building in any nation, playing a critical role in ensuring the advancement and sustainability of democratic systems and providing a national vision around a set of core values. In 2008, International IDEA will concentrate its constitution building efforts in Bolivia and Ecuador, two countries seeking to overcome histories of exclusion and political instability.
  
• Electoral and political reform – Committed to the principle that political change must come from within, International IDEA is facilitating analysis and debate between political and civil society leaders in Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Chile and Mexico. Each of these countries has prioritized political and electoral reform and has requested that International IDEA provide technical cooperation and access to international experiences.
  
  
• Political party strengthening in Mexico and Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic – Jointly with UNDP, IDB, AECI, NIMD, SIDA, and DFID, International IDEA is currently developing the second phase of the project “Political Parties in Central America, Panama and Dominican Republic”. The project’s overall objective is to help political parties promote good governance and equitable sustainable development. The project is being developed in seven countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
  
  
• Women’s political participation – Women are under-represented in political decision making throughout the world, and Latin America is certainly not an exception. In partnership with equity-minded leaders in the Region, International IDEA promotes debate on electoral and political party reform as well as proven strategies for increasing the number and effectiveness of women in politics.

• Politics and Poverty Reduction – The capacity of Latin American governments for decisive action in the fight against poverty is often hindered by the weakness of the political representation system. In 2008, International IDEA will continue supporting reflection on mechanisms for developing pro-poor political systems.