Civil Infrastructure Necessary for Democracy

A large number of Latin Americans are displeased with their new democratically elected governments, and many would support the return of strong-man rule if it brought economic prosperity and equality under the law, according to a new United Nations report.

According to the International Herald Tribune:

"The report attributes the erosion of confidence in elected governments to slow economic growth, profound social inequality and ineffective legal systems and social services. Despite gains in human rights from the days of dictatorship, most Latin Americans, it says, still cannot expect equal treatment before the law because of abusive police practices, politicized judiciaries and widespread corruption."

While I can't comment on the report's accuracy, it isn't surprising that democracy, as defined by the right to vote, isn't delivering the goods its promoters promised. For representative government to flourish, the foundational elements of civil society -- rule of law, freedom of the press, property rights, cultural and religious pluralism -- must be implemented and allowed to develop. The franchise is a necessary but insufficient element of a developed, free society. Absent the administrative, economic, juridical, and constitutional guarantees that individuals may live without being harassed by the state or their fellow citizens, discontent with the shell of democracy is predictable.

Latin American voters would do well to remember that these crucial civil institutions are weak or missing from their countries largely because of the very the strong men whose rule some of them long to see again. Rather than stand aside as dictators are brought back, citizens of affected countries, NGOs, the U.S., and other democracies around the world should enact policies and educational programs to aid the development of civil society throughout the region.