The Dynamics of Neoliberal Electoral Politics

Abstract

Throughout Latin America there is a deepening popular disenchantment with neoliberal governments that have entrenched themselves across the continent over the past decade or more. Yet one of the paradoxes confounding analysts of the region’s politics has been voter reluctance to repudiate these regimes at the ballot box: devastating socioeconomic failures have been no obstacle to the election of successor regimes committed to the same kinds of policies.¹ Another paradox is just as striking: while political oppositions, exploiting voter hostility, have waged successful election campaigns to oust incumbent neoliberal governments, once in power the new regime has invariably and systematically repudiated its critical electoral posture in favour of deepening the neoliberal agenda of its predecessor.