Carolina Guerrero Valencia
Peru's most polarising politician is making an extraordinary fourth bid for the country’s presidency. Carolina Guerrero Valencia and Ignacio Arana Araya discuss how Keiko built her career on dynastic inheritance and the First Lady role: two shortcuts to power that push fragile democracies toward soft patrimonialism Read more
Carolina Guerrero Valencia
First ladies in Latin America are more than ceremonial figures. They influence public policy, advance political careers, and build power within the core of the executive branch – without a formal mandate, or accountability. Carolina Guerrero Valencia shows why ignoring them means misreading presidential power itself Read more
Hakkı Taş
Recent data indicates that countries led by more populist leaders are less likely to have a military with veto power. Hakkı Taş explores the populist centralisation of power that fosters control over the military, and the impact on civilian oversight Read more
Carlos José Cruz Infante
Elections loom for Chile and Colombia in 2025 and 2026. Carlos José Cruz Infante explores voters' growing disillusionment with leftist governments and the increasing attraction of figures like José Antonio Kast and María Fernanda Cabal. These politicians' hard-right populist messages echo Donald Trump’s empty call to ‘Make America Great Again’ Read more
Alicia del Aguila
As the political crisis in Peru worsens, Alicia del Aguila explores its roots. Key to understanding it are the political polarisation of recent years, tension between the Central and Southern Andes, and the historical marginalisation of indigenous people Read more
Marta Mendes da Rocha
Despite their constitutional powers, South American presidents have not managed the Covid-19 pandemic effectively, write Marta Rocha, Luciana Santana and Magna Inácio. This is worrying in a region desperate to overcome economic decline, inequality, unemployment, and extreme poverty Read more
Lucía Dammert
On 6 June, amid a profound health and economic crisis, presidential elections take place in Peru. Voting for the lesser of two evils is not new, writes Lucia Dammert, yet the 2021 election deepens Peru's political deterioration and further weakens its democratic governance Read more
The Loop
Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.
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