Democracies Under Siege. Latin America from a Transregional Perspective

Latin America is one of the regions in the world with the highest density of democratically elected governments. However, in many places democracy is under pressure: the deterioration of the quality of democracy, political polarization, increasing violence and insecurity, persistent social and economic inequalities, authoritarian tendencies, and a continuing crisis of legitimacy and representation characterize the political and social reality of many countries in the region. At the same time, social and indigenous movements are advocating for democratic renewal, greater autonomy and participation, and a democracy that takes social justice, cultural plurality, and critical debate about the legacy of the past seriously.

The conference addresses the multiple aspects of the struggle for democracy in Latin America from a multidisciplinary perspective, but also aims to look beyond the region's borders, particularly to Europe, where many democracies face similar problems. Cross-border processes of interconnection and international cooperation, which can have both favorable and unfavorable effects on democracy, will also be discussed.