Latinobarometro: Democracy Grows in Latin America
5
Posted by Aaron Ortiz | Posted in Honduras | Posted on 10-12-2009
Latinobarómetro
The Economist published the results of a poll by Latinobarometro, a non-profit based in Chile. In it we see an 11% increase in Hondurans who say democracy is preferable to any other government (55%), and a 3% decrease in those who say that an autocratic government is preferable to a democratic one under certain circumstances (12%). Some questions explored the confidence of Latin American in institutions such as the Church, the Government, the Military, and the market economy.
For instance, in 2008, only 7% of Hondurans and Peruvians believed that democracy in their nations worked better than in other nations in Latin America. The average for all nations was 21%.
Related posts:
I am happy to see more people wanting democracy over dictatorship. However, I want to see more research done into democracy. Elections alone can not accurately represent the will of the people. For example, I can tell which person I want to be the leader, but I can’t tell that I support only half of his policies.
As humans advance, there will be more problems. Without a way to accurately represent the people’s will, I’m afraid future governments won’t be able to scratch where it itches.
I hope countries that call themselves democratic bastions will put more effort into this.
I read an article yesterday, that said that globalization and the market economy would effectively kill democracy. Who knows if they’re right?
A side effect of globalization is the transfer of people and funds. This can change voter composition.
In the ancient times, people who are unhappy with their democratic government can leave the country and take their assets with them. Nowadays, they can not.
Therefore, people nowadays are very afraid of becoming a minority. If the minority feels threatened to the point where they no longer respect the majority, then you have riots or coups.
I wish there’s more emphasis on how to make a peaceful democracy than just having any democracy. The majority should not make laws that threaten the minority without a clear reason. In exchange, the minority will respect the majority. It is better than the “you lost, suck it up” attitude I begin to see more and more nowadays.
[...] Ortiz of Pensieve looks at the recent findings regarding Honduras in the most recent Latinobarometro study. Cancel this [...]
[...] Aaron Ortiz of Pensieve looks at the recent findings regarding Honduras in the most recent Latinobarometro study. [...]