International Response to Democratic Crisisin the Americas, 1990–2005

Abstract

This article analyses international responses to threats to democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean between 1990 and 2005 from five domestic sources: traditional military coup attempt; incumbent leaders; intra-governmental clashes between branches of government; armed non-state actors; and unarmed non-state actors including societal mass protests and blockades. International responses include diplomatic, proactive incentives, sanctions and disincentives, and military force and peacekeeping. International capacity to respond has improved over this time period with the proliferation of actors and tools. Nevertheless, the two newest sources of democratic crisis pose particular challenges: intra-governmental disputes and crises emanating from non-state actors. In the first, international actors are reluctant to intervene in constitutional disputes. In the second, international actors tend to react after a crisis has begun rather than help prevent it. Faced with the premature removal of a president in the face of mass protests combined with questionable Congressional action or militarized force, the international community tends to switch from support for the beleaguered leader before his ouster, to accepting the change of government and focusing on a constitutional transition once the ouster is a fact. The article concludes with lessons and suggestions for improvement.