The Advance of China and Authoritarian Populism in Honduras

In Latin America, it is strategically important that the United States distinguish between principled left-oriented democratic regimes versus those which seek to manage the alarm of Washington and Western investors as they pursue a fundamentally anti-democratic, anti-market, anti-U.S. course. It is time for Washington to recognize that the Honduran regime of Xiomara Castro, Mel Zelaya, and their Libre movement, are on the latter path.

Read More »

Populism, China, and Covid-19: Latin America’s New Perfect Storm

The strategic environment of Latin America is in the early phases of a profound, negative transformation reflecting the combined effects of three of the most powerful global forces of our era: (1) the spread of a new, populist model for capturing democratic states with vulnerable institutions and transforming them into authoritarian regimes with expanded levels of elite-sanctioned criminality; (2) the Covid-19 pandemic’s profound, multi-dimensional, long-term blow to the region; and (3) China’s advances in pursuit of its economic ambitions, which have profound economic and political consequences for its partners.

Read More »

The economics of populism is failing in Latin America

The spectre of populism – both of the left and right variety – has hung over Latin American politics and economics since the 19th century but, for the last two decades, a new wave of populist movements and leaders has developed as a result of ongoing economic dislocation and popular anger at the political class.

Read More »

Chile’s populist moment?

“Chile’s compromise constitution may not satisfy anyone, but failure will satisfy no one.” While ignoring the reality of the government’s limitations would move the country further towards populism, ignoring the peoples’ demands could “reignite the streets.”

Read More »

Angry Mexico

Instead of voting for a candidate with concrete policy proposals to improve a difficult situation, many Mexican voters seem to ready to say “screw the system—and everything else along with it.”

Read More »
Scroll to Top