Struggles for Democracy

Main Idea: Democracy requires key institutions and practices to ensure popular participation. After World War II, Latin American countries struggle to create stable democratic systems.

I. Latin America

A Making Democracy Work

1 Stable democracies require key institutions & practices

Common Practices	Conditions that foster those Practices
Free elections	· Having more than one political party · Universal suffrage—all adult citizens can vote
Citizen participation	· High levels of education & literacy · Economic security · Freedoms of speech, press, & assembly
Majority rule, minority rights	· All citizens equal before the law · Shared national identity · Protection of such individual rights as freedom of religion · Representatives elected by citizens to carry out their will
Constitutional gov’t	· Clear body of traditions and laws on which gov’t is based · Widespread education about how gov’t works · National acceptance of majority decisions · Shared belief that no one is above the law

2 Most won independence in early 1800s

3 Problems: one-crop economies, sharp class divisions, powerful militaries

B From Dictators to Democracy

1 Brazil strives to overcome economic & political problems to create a stable democracy

C One Dominant Party

1 Despite economic & political crises, Mexico maintains democratic rule

D Argentina

1 Juan Peron creates a welfare state with limited reforms

2 Military takes over & establishes a brutal dictatorship

3 Generals step downèmovement toward a true democracy