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Political Culture in Latin America

Explore the intricate interplay of friendship, democracy, and power in Latin American political culture. From the concept of Ascendent Power to the significance of Friendship and Corporatism, delve into the unique dynamics that shape the region's governance. Learn about the consequences of lacking friendships, the ethos of Rousseau's democracy, and the contrasts between Lockean and Roussean views. Understand how these ideologies influence societal structures and individual rights in Latin America.

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Political Culture in Latin America

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  1. Political Culture in Latin America Homo Políticus Friendship Democracy

  2. Goal of Homo Políticus • ASCENDENT POWER

  3. What is Ascendent Power? • Everyday wants must be satisfied • People referents and social skills • Tangibly expressed in power • Religious cornerstone • Would-be heroes must incur giant risk

  4. Currency of Homo Políticus • FRIENDSHIP

  5. What is Friendship? • Friends are considered social tender • Prestige is necessary to attract “friends” • Friendship does not necessarily imply private affection

  6. Benefits of Friendship • Rational friendship provides resources that lead to public ascendancy • Friendship is power • Power needs to be displayed in order for it to be validated

  7. CORPORATISM AS AN EXPRESSION OF FRIENDSHIP • “Friends” become more important than nation • Extended family as “friends” • Institution of compadrasco • Political expression

  8. CORPORATISM AS AN EXPRESSION OF FRIENDSHIP • Interest groups (as they are though of in the United States & Western Europe) as “friends” • Primary socio-political identifications is with your circle of “friends”

  9. Examples of corporate institutions in Latin American politics • Church • Guild/Colegio • Business associations • Political parties (especially of left)

  10. Lack of “Friendships”: Consequences • Struggle for ascendancy will be pervasive, all-consuming, and frequently vicious

  11. Concern with “Friendship” meshes nicely with Rousseau’s concept of democracy • Contract theory – challenges divine right of kings perspective • Idea of the “general will” • Human being can only live up to her/his potential when she/he participates in political life

  12. Rousseau: Democracy and Human Nature • Natural goodness (noble savage) • Education to break chains of tradition • Leads to faith in the power of government and orientation to use that power to set human nature free • Little concern with abuse of power once the “right” people are in control

  13. Lockean Democracy • Most associated with the English-speaking world • Locke also a contract theorist • Less optimistic than Rousseau regarding the nature of man

  14. Individual and natural rights inalienable Rights can only be assured by checking and balancing the powerful More concern than Rousseau with problem of government abuse of power More Lockean Democracy

  15. Differences Between LOCKEAN & ROUSSEAN VIEWS OF DEMOCRACY OFTEN LEAD GRINGOS &LATIN AMERICANS TO TALK PAST EACH OTHER

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