Democracia na América Latina: mudanças e persistências

Abstract

This essay questions the notion of “end of a cycle” by making a distinction between “political cycle” and “state cycle”. In the first case, a change is manifested in the political map of Latin America showing a different “left turn” that characterized the first years of the 21st century. In the second case, the transformation is less obvious and predictable, as development models and accumulation patterns will not be dismantled without social unrest or political instability, as it happens in Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. In the case of Bolivia, analysis is focused on the referendum held in February, 2016; which led to the defeat of the MAS [Movement for Socialism], which sought a partial Constitutional reform to enable Evo Morales to run for president in 2019. The poll results set limits on the MAS hegemonic capacity, and affirmed the strength of democracy