Political Parties and Linkage Mechanisms in Latin America: Trends, Challenges, and Responses

Abstract

Objective/context: Recent trends in the linkages between politicians and citizens in Latin America are identified and characterized. Methodology: Several challenges facing Latin American democracies are identified, which have called into question their ability to maintain and strengthen political linkages. Second, it is argued that new ways of connecting politics with citizens have emerged in response to these challenges. Conclusions: On the one hand, the decline in partisanship has led to personalist connections fueled by anti-party rhetoric that undermines traditional forms of political mediation. On the other hand, new social segments have given rise to non-traditional forms of linkage that do not follow the typical patterns of mobilization and adherence, but are supported by partial claims, not necessarily material in nature. Originality: These processes reveal an increasing complexity of linkage mechanisms across Latin America. Today’s landscape is more heterogeneous, volatile, and potentially conflictive than that which emerged from the region’s third wave of democratization.