Category Archives: Latin America

Will The Fragile Democracy of Brazil Survive?

As voters in Brazil are choosing their representatives today, choosing their president can determine the country’s direction in ways that go beyond a specific party.
This election is extremely important not only because Brazil is a presidential republic (meaning, its president has significant powers) and world’s 12th economy. It’s because, to put it plainly, if Lula wins, the are fears of Bolsonaro not taking his political loss as leaders in democracies do – and that would have significant consequences for Brazil and the rest of the world.

What Just Happened in Ecuador?

The people of Ecuador have just had a national strike – and won!
After more than two weeks of country-wide protests, the current government has agreed to meet their demands.
What was happening there and why?
To answer these questions, hear what two journalists reporting on Ecuador have to say.

Brazil: How to Weaken Democracy from Within

The dance between democracy and authoritarianism: that has been the main topic of my articles and my podcast. That dance can take different forms. And Brazil presents to us yet another one.

It’s Time For Your Political Attitude Checkup!

This is my attempt to do a deep dive into concepts like political ideology, economic systems, and, ah, the focus of my rather dense episode, political attitudes. What does it mean to be liberal or conservative according to the framework of political attitudes? Is it always straightforward? (You’ve guessed correctly: no).  In this episode, IContinue reading “It’s Time For Your Political Attitude Checkup!”

What Good Happened in 2020?

I talk about political changes that took place in Argentina, Bolivia, and Belarus. Why the women in Argentina can breathe more easily, why the indigenous population of Bolivia is hopefully feeling safer, and why what the people in Belarus are engaging should inspire us all.