Crisis and resilience in Latin American politics
- Submission status
- Open
- Submission deadline
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Latin America has long been a region of profound political experimentation, transformation and contestation. In recent decades, however, it has faced a series of interlinked challenges to democratic stability. Growing disillusionment with political institutions, persistent inequality, rising violence and deepening polarisation have all contributed to widespread uncertainty about the future of governance across the region. These dynamics have fuelled the rise of new political actors and movements – including figures such as Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Nayib Bukele in El Salvador and Javier Milei in Argentina – who are reshaping the political landscape and testing the resilience of liberal democracy.
Citizens confronted with insecurity have increasingly accepted “mano dura” approaches in exchange for promises of stability, while polarisation continues to obstruct effective governance. Yet the region also produces innovative responses to these pressures. From quota legislation expanding women’s political representation to civil society efforts resisting democratic backsliding, Latin America remains a vital context for understanding how societies confront inequality, instability and institutional fragility while striving to sustain inclusive democratic practices.
This Collection seeks to explore continuity and change in Latin American politics in both historical and contemporary perspectives. It aims to examine the social, political and institutional forces that have shaped the region, as well as the new actors and dynamics that are emerging today. Contributions may focus on individual countries, sub-regional developments or comparative perspectives that situate Latin America in dialogue with other parts of the world.
We invite contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to Latin American and area studies, political science, development studies, sociology, gender studies, international relations, comparative politics, history and political theory.
Articles exploring the following themes and others of relevance will be considered:
- Corruption, inequality, and growing disillusionment with democracy in Latin America
- Populist leadership styles, extremism, and the personalisation of politics in the region
- Violence, organised crime, insecurity, and the appeal of “mano dura” (iron fist) approaches
- Democratic backsliding, resilience, and institutional experimentation across Latin American countries
- Policy continuity, reform, and reversal in Latin American states and administrations
- Social movements, indigenous mobilisation, protest waves, and grassroots political participation
- Regionalism, shifting alliances, and Latin America’s evolving role in global geopolitics
- Colonial legacies, authoritarian pasts, and their enduring impact on contemporary politics
- Gender politics, feminist movements, representation, and inclusion across the region
- Social, economic, and environmental challenges: from extractivism to climate adaptation in Latin America
