Latin America’s Imperiled Progress: Chavez and the End of “Partyarchy” in Venezuela

Democracy is facing hard times in the region, but the shape of the problems varies according to the differing informal legacies of communism in individual countries.

Evidence from the postcommunist countries shows that the strength of the legislature may be the institutional key to democratic consolidation.

Basic demographic and socioeconomic factors in Iran are favorable to democratization. The mullahs may hope to stave off democratic change by emulating the Chinese model, but this strategy is doomed…