Three cases of weakening democracies in Latin America

Abstract

Introduction: This study focuses on analyzing how and why democratic weakening has occurred in Argentina, El Salvador and Peru. Methodology: The approach is qualitative; it follows a multiple case study with a phenomenological design in which the content analysis technique was applied. Secondary sources, data from social networks and press articles were analyzed, using the qualitative tool “Data Insight” to identify patterns and trends. Results: Some key categories detected are the following: criminalization of protest, economic instability, control of speech and press, political polarization, corruption, security and harassment. Discussion: The economic crisis, authoritarianism and ineffective policies undermine democracy. In Argentina, Milei polarizes and destabilizes by symbolic capital. In El Salvador, Bukele centralizes power at the expense of civil liberties. In Peru, political instability and fragmentation prevent the implementation of coherent policies. Thus, corruption, polarization and authoritarian populism constitute factors in the weakening of democracy. Conclusions: Loss of trust in institutions, human rights violations and governance challenges are common in the three countries and constitute trends harmful to democracy.