The populist vote in the Andean region: The cases of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify the profile of those who voted for one of the populist candidates in the presidential elections in Colombia (2006), Ecuador (2002) and Peru (2006). To this end, four logistic regression models are produced for each country using data from the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP). The results suggest that some of the assumptions in the literature (above all those linked to the mobilisation of discontent and disaffection) are valid only in cases where the populists form part of the opposition and not the government. They also indicate that a structural and ideological component exists that favours the populist candidates whose configuration depends on the context.