Colonial Legacies and Democratic Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (1982 - 2018)

Описание: Synopsis: Previous research shows that economic development matters in explaining the variation in levels of democracy. Yet, few studies focus on the effects of colonial legacies on democratization in new democracies. This thesis aims to fill the gap in the literature by examining the relationship between colonial legacies and democratic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. I argue that, compared to other European colonizers, British forms of liberal colonial rule helped create a more open environment for civil society, and thus facilitated democratic development in these post-colonial countries. Using data from thirty-three countries in Latin America and the Caribbean from 1982 through 2018, my empirical analysis demonstrates that former British colonies tend to have higher levels of democracy than countries that were colonized by other European powers. Additionally, my comparative case study of Belize and Guatemala also provides support for my hypothesis. The case of Belize suggests that the British liberal colonial legacies provided a more open environment for social mobilizations, which catalyzed stronger democratic representation. In contrast, the case of Guatemala suggests that Spanish mercantilist colonial legacies impeded the growth of civil society, and thus produced a lower level of democracy. Overall, this thesis provides solid evidence to show the importance of colonial legacies in understanding democratic development in post-colonial countries.

About the presenter(s): My name is Guillermo Berganza and I grew up in San Ignacio Town. I hold a master's degree in international relations from the National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan, and a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Belize. I am also the founder of the National Students’ Union of Belize.

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