#Latin American Politics
Book Reviews
Politics of Legal Discovery in Argentina
In El Descubrimiento De La Ley, the political scientist Catalina Smulovitz offers a sophisticated and timely account of how law has become a central instrument of political struggle in Argentina, with implications that extend across Latin America. As the author is one of the region’s most respected scholars of politics and law, which draws on decades of empirical observation and theoretical reflection, the result is a work that challenges readers to reconsider the place of law in democratic practice and illuminates how legal institutions can be mobilized for both accountability and power.
3.09.2025
Podcasts
The Right against Rights in Latin America
In this conversation with the Review of Democracy, Professor Leigh Payne, Dr. Julia Zulver, and Dr. Simon Escoffier discuss the development of right-against-rights movements that have grown in numbers, strength, and influence in recent years in Latin America. The discussion draws on their latest book, “The Right against Rights in Latin America,” published by Oxford University Press, in which they show that new anti-rights groups are intent on blocking, rolling back, and reversing social movements' legislative advances by obstructing justice and accountability processes and influencing politicians across the region.
5.03.2025
News
The Rise of Successful Political Outsiders in Latin America: Lessons Learned from Argentine President Javier Milei
The podcast focuses on and draws lessons from the experience of current Argentine president Javier Milei. It delves into pivotal questions: How do outsiders get elected in a political system designed to secure electoral competition among established political leaders? How do they navigate constraints posed by legislatures dominated by opposition? Does the rise of political outsiders from the global north influence the progress of these Latin American leaders? Does the radical right-wing ideology of outsiders make them more effective? What are the lessons for understanding current Latin American politics?
4.12.2024
Polarization and Political Conflict in Latin America in the Aftermath of the Left Turn: Challenges for Democracy in Latin America
Latin America's political landscape is marked by rising discontent and ideological divides, amplified by the post-pandemic climate. A recent research project highlights three main conflict patterns—ideological polarization, leader-driven division, and widespread dissatisfaction—across five countries. These dynamics reveal potential risks to democracies, as polarization and disenfranchisement reshape political engagement and fuel uncertainty in the region’s future.
6.11.2024
