The return of democracy in Latin America has been variously associated with a decline in political violence, but also with a failure to redress welfare troubles and restore social justice. This essay provides an exploration of these problematic relationships. It argues that the impact of democracy on social welfare and internal civil violence is complex, develops unevenly and is mediated by a host of contributing factors. The bearing of democracy on political violence has been especially weak. In some countries democratic elites played a role in reducing or eliminating armed conflicts, by offering a series of political concessions to the opposition, especially communication channels with the government and social and political rewards. However, political violence survived or intensified under democracy elsewhere, while it was eradicated by force and (less frequently) by concessions in a number of authoritarian settings. Democracy has also affected welfare policies, through the appearance and progressive strengthening of social organizations and political parties that favoured channelling benefits towards the less advantaged. Yet, welfare protection also took place under populist and authoritarian governments and it was influenced by a series of additional economic, political and social factors.
Democracy, Social Welfare and Political Violence: The Case of Latin America
GRASSI, Davide
2014-01-01
Abstract
The return of democracy in Latin America has been variously associated with a decline in political violence, but also with a failure to redress welfare troubles and restore social justice. This essay provides an exploration of these problematic relationships. It argues that the impact of democracy on social welfare and internal civil violence is complex, develops unevenly and is mediated by a host of contributing factors. The bearing of democracy on political violence has been especially weak. In some countries democratic elites played a role in reducing or eliminating armed conflicts, by offering a series of political concessions to the opposition, especially communication channels with the government and social and political rewards. However, political violence survived or intensified under democracy elsewhere, while it was eradicated by force and (less frequently) by concessions in a number of authoritarian settings. Democracy has also affected welfare policies, through the appearance and progressive strengthening of social organizations and political parties that favoured channelling benefits towards the less advantaged. Yet, welfare protection also took place under populist and authoritarian governments and it was influenced by a series of additional economic, political and social factors.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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Democracy, social welfare and political violence in LA.finaldraftpostrefereeing.doc
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