Dados is one of the most widely-read social sciences journals in Latin America. Created in 1966, it publishes innovative works, originating from academic research, by Brazilian and foreign authors. Edited by IESP-UERJ, it aims to reconcile scientific rigor and academic excellence with an emphasis on public debate based on the analysis of substantive issues of society and politics.
Dados vol. 37 n. 1 Rio de Janeiro 1994
Abstract
What is the best way to begin comparing party systems in Latin America? Conventional wisdom would focus on the number of relevant parties and, in its more sophisticated version, on ideological distance as well. The authors argue that this would be the best way to begin comparing institutionalized party systems, but in this paper they argue that in the Latin American context it is better to first focus on how institutionalized the party system is. They argue that Venezuela, Costa Rica, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, and - to a lesser degree - Argentina have reasonably institutionalized party systems. Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, and Ecuador have less institutionalized or inchoate party systems. Mexico and Paraguay form a residual category, which the authors call hegemonic party systems in transition. Finally, they argue that institutionalizing a party system facilitates democratic governance and is an important part of the process of democratic consolidation.
A Institucionalização dos Sistemas Partidários na América Latina
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