Violence and democratic legitimacy: literature review about Latin American context

Abstract

Latin America concentrates high homicide rates, which poses a series of adversities for consoli-dating democracies and can foster setbacks in democratic legitimacy. In this sense, the article is dedicated to deepening, in the international literature, the themes of victimization, fear of crime and democratic legitimacy in Latin America. The article is organized into four sections: initially, we point out general characteristics of fear of crime literature and the relationship with democracy. In the aftermath, we emphasize studies that directly connect victimization and fear of crime with politics aspects, and, more specifically with democratic legitimacy. Third section addresses causal mechanisms that favor violence effects in democracy. Finally, we present general considerations about literature as well as questions for future research in the Latin American context.