Tomáš Došek

Fragmentation of presidential elections and governability crises in Latin America: a curvilinear relationship?

ABSTRACT Part of the literature views high numbers of presidential candidates as a threat to political stability in presidential democracies. A contradictory model proposes that an overconcentration of the presidential party system is problematic. Both models are hard to reconcile. We approach this puzzle by arguing that the relationship between the level of presidential election fragmentation and governability crises is curvilinear: both very low and very high effective numbers of presidential candidates increase the risk of governability crisis. We test this theoretical claim with ordered logit models drawing on a sample of 108 presidencies in Latin America between 1978 and 2013 and using an ordinal index of the intensity of crisis as the dependent variable. We explore the operation of the theorized causal mechanisms through case studies and argue that they are different at both extremes, high and low levels of fragmentation. Finally, we formulate implications for the design of presidential electoral rules drawing on the debate contrasting runoff and plurality rules.

Breaking Concrete, Glass and Cash Ceilings: Conclusions and Policy Recommendations from Scholars and Practitioners

Latin American countries traditionally have been ruled by men. Since independence, historical narratives, social relations, and politics have been defined by and for men. Over the last few decades, however, advances in the recognition of women’s rights have been momentous. Changes have involved the breaking of barriers and the elimination of discriminatory norms and practices that were deeply embedded in political institutions. One of the most visible changes was the increasing number of women elected to important public offices (as legislators and, more recently, as presidents). The key measures that precipitated greater female access to power were gender quota laws and regulations promoted by women’s politicians, women’s movements, and international agencies.

Women, Politics, and Democracy in Latin America: An Introduction

In Latin America, increases in women’s political participation and their access to power have transformed national congresses, from their agendas to their organization (UNDP 2015; Htun and Piscopo 2014; Rodriguez Gusta 2011). Over a relatively short period, a number of democratic transitions, constituent assemblies, electoral and institutional reforms have provided opportunities for the advancement of women’s political and social rights (ECLAC 2014). According to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU 2015) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC 2015), the average number of female national legislators in lower houses in the Americas increased from 9 % to 27 % between 1990 and 2015. In the same period, practically all Latin American countries introduced electoral gender quotas or parity regulations in their electoral codes or constitutions. In 2016, Bolivia ranked as the second highest in terms of number of women in the legislature in the world (53 %), only coming behind Rwanda. In Cuba, Mexico, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, over 40 % of legislators are women.

Giraudy, Agustina (2014). Democrats and Autocrats. Pathways of Subnational Undemocratic Regime Continuity within Democratic Countries

¿Cómo pueden sobrevivir regímenes no democráticos subnacionales en países que a nivel nacional son considerados democráticos? ¿Cómo se da esta “yuxtaposición de regímenes” (Gibson, 2005; 2013) divergentes en un solo país (federal)? El nuevo libro de Agustina Giraudy Democrats and Autocrats. Pathways of Subnational Undemocratic Regime Continuity within Democratic Countries hace una importante contribución a la creciente literatura sobre los regímenes políticos subnacionales. Este trabajo culmina un esfuerzo realizado en diversos trabajos de la autora (Giraudy, 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013) a lo largo de los últimos cinco años, producto de su investigación doctoral. Esta reseña primero revisa los principales argumentos del libro y los aportes en términos conceptuales, descriptivos y causales. Segundo, se esbozan algunas críticas puntuales al texto. Finalmente, se cierra con algunos temas futuros de agenda de investigación e interrogantes no resueltas.

The 2015 Departmental Elections in Uruguay: Towards a Growing Autonomy of Subnational Politics

Uruguay—officially Republica Oriental del Uruguay—is one of the smallest countries in South America, geographically located between Argentina and Brazil and separated from the former by the La Plat...