Inequality and Social Exclusion as a Challenge for Democracies in Latin America

Abstract

In the last few years, Latin American countries have made great strides in terms of inclusion. However, millions of Latin Americans still do not fully participate in the social, economic and political life of their societies. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between the persistent levels of inequality in the region, and the implications for democracy. The methodology utilized for the paper was analytical and qualitative, considering contributions by authors such as Munck (2005), Casas-Zamora et al (2014), Zovatto & Herrera (2011) as well as data from ECLAC and UNDP, among others. Some of the key aspects evaluated in this analysis include: (a) citizens’ disenchantment with democracy, and erosion of democratic legitimacy, (b) the increase of violence and other anti-social practices, (c) the differentiated access to rights, specially for indigenous peoples and afrodescedants, (d) the emergence of new forms of conflict, specially from the middle class, and (e) the reduced legitimacy and representativeness of the decisions emerging from the political system. The article concludes that the concentration of economic and political power in the hands of a few undermines democratic practice and political processes, often putting the State at the service of elites, affecting the full exercise of human rights, delegitimizing political representation as well as republican institutions.