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The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America in the 1980s

Publication ,  Journal Article
Remmer, KL
Published in: American Political Science Review
January 1, 1991

Research on the political implications of economic conditions is separated into two relatively distinct bodies of literature. I bridge the theoretical gap between them by examining the effects of economic crisis on electoral outcomes in Latin America from 1982 to 1990. An analysis of 21 competitive elections indicates that crisis conditions undermine support for incumbents and provoke high levels of electoral volatility but without necessarily fostering the growth of political extremism or the exhaustion of elite consensus associated with the breakdown of democracy. The results also suggest that the relationship between economic conditions and electoral instability is mediated by party system structure rather than democratic age. Paradoxically, the findings buttress prior research on electoral outcomes in the comparatively stable and homogeneous Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations while undercutting theoretical frameworks elaborated with specific reference to the breakdown and consolidation of Third World democracy. © 1991, American Political Science Association. All rights reserved.

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Published In

American Political Science Review

DOI

EISSN

1537-5943

ISSN

0003-0554

Publication Date

January 1, 1991

Volume

85

Issue

3

Start / End Page

777 / 800

Related Subject Headings

  • Political Science & Public Administration
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1606 Political Science
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Remmer, K. L. (1991). The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America in the 1980s. American Political Science Review, 85(3), 777–800. https://doi.org/10.2307/1963850
Remmer, K. L. “The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America in the 1980s.” American Political Science Review 85, no. 3 (January 1, 1991): 777–800. https://doi.org/10.2307/1963850.
Remmer KL. The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America in the 1980s. American Political Science Review. 1991 Jan 1;85(3):777–800.
Remmer, K. L. “The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America in the 1980s.” American Political Science Review, vol. 85, no. 3, Jan. 1991, pp. 777–800. Scopus, doi:10.2307/1963850.
Remmer KL. The Political Impact of Economic Crisis in Latin America in the 1980s. American Political Science Review. 1991 Jan 1;85(3):777–800.
Journal cover image

Published In

American Political Science Review

DOI

EISSN

1537-5943

ISSN

0003-0554

Publication Date

January 1, 1991

Volume

85

Issue

3

Start / End Page

777 / 800

Related Subject Headings

  • Political Science & Public Administration
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1606 Political Science