Social Movements and Democratization Processes in Latin America

Abstract

Abstract This chapter offers a review of the most salient cases of social movements and democratization processes in Latin America. Bridging the literature on Latin American social movements and democratic transitions, it first revises the different types of transitions that developed in the continent. Second, it assesses the effects that democratic transitions have had on the emergence, development, and outcomes of emblematic Latin American social movements. In doing so, it evaluates the role that these social movements have played in triggering democratizing processes in the region. Third, it explores the movements that have emerged as democracy has deepened in the region. Finally, the chapter concludes by offering some insights as to why we still know relatively little about the success that social movements have had in the democratization of the continent, the type of studies we need to develop theories on the relationship between social movements and democratic transitions in Latin American, and possible generalizations suitable to other similar cases around the world.