2.4 Post-Independence Political Instability

Latin America's post-independence era was marked by political turmoil. Newly independent nations struggled to establish stable governments due to colonial legacies, social inequalities, and competing interests among different groups.

This instability had far-reaching consequences. Frequent coups and civil wars hindered economic growth, perpetuated social divisions, and made it challenging to implement policies for education, healthcare, and social welfare. The rise of caudillos further complicated efforts to build democratic institutions.

Political Instability in Post-Independence Latin America

Factors Contributing to Instability

Top images from around the web for Factors Contributing to Instability

• 

  Popular protests, coups and information flows: Research behind the revolutions - The Journalist ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Latin American independence countries.PNG - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Americas independence map.PNG - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Popular protests, coups and information flows: Research behind the revolutions - The Journalist ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Latin American independence countries.PNG - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Factors Contributing to Instability

• 

  Popular protests, coups and information flows: Research behind the revolutions - The Journalist ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Latin American independence countries.PNG - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Americas independence map.PNG - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Popular protests, coups and information flows: Research behind the revolutions - The Journalist ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Latin American independence countries.PNG - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Lack of experience with self-government and democratic institutions made establishing stable political systems difficult for newly independent nations
• Legacy of colonial rule created deep social and economic inequalities that fueled political unrest
  • Concentration of power in the hands of a small elite
  • Marginalization of indigenous and mixed-race populations
• Regional rivalries and competing interests among different provinces and social groups challenged efforts to forge national unity and consensus
• Influence of foreign powers (United States, European nations) often undermined sovereignty and stability through interventions and economic domination
• Ideological divisions between conservatives and liberals led to frequent conflicts and civil wars
  • Conservatives favored centralized power and maintenance of traditional social hierarchies
  • Liberals advocated for federalism and greater individual rights
• Weakness of state institutions (military, bureaucracy) made maintaining order and implementing policies effectively difficult
• Economic instability contributed to social unrest and political turmoil
  • Fluctuations in commodity prices
  • Foreign debt

Impact on Development and Progress

• Frequent changes in government, coups, and civil wars created uncertain and unpredictable environment
  • Discouraged long-term investments
  • Hindered economic growth
• Political instability led to disruption of trade, destruction of infrastructure, and flight of capital, further undermining economic development
• Concentration of power and wealth in hands of small elite perpetuated social and economic inequalities and limited opportunities for upward mobility
• Lack of stable and accountable government institutions made implementing coherent policies and programs aimed at promoting education, health care, and social welfare difficult
• Political violence and repression often targeted marginalized groups (indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, the poor), exacerbating social tensions and hindering progress towards greater equality and inclusion
• Constant state of political upheaval and uncertainty made it challenging for civil society organizations and social movements to mobilize and advocate for change
  • Faced threats, persecution, and co-optation by those in power

Caudillos and Regional Strongmen

Characteristics and Tactics

• Caudillos emerged as charismatic leaders who relied on personal loyalty, patronage networks, and military force to maintain power
  • Often at the expense of democratic institutions and the rule of law
• Used populist appeals and promises of social reform to gain support from the masses while simultaneously protecting interests of landed elite and foreign investors
• Governed through combination of authoritarianism, clientelism, and personalism
  • Concentrated power in their own hands and those of their inner circle
• Engaged in power struggles and conflicts with rival caudillos, leading to cycle of coups, rebellions, and civil wars that destabilized countries and hindered long-term political development

Impact on Inequality and Stability

• Rule of caudillos often perpetuated social and economic inequalities by relying on support of wealthy and powerful to maintain grip on power
• Some caudillos (Juan Manuel de Rosas in Argentina, Porfirio Díaz in Mexico) managed to establish relatively long periods of stability and economic growth
  • Albeit at the cost of political freedom and social justice

Instability's Impact on Development

Economic Consequences

• Uncertain and unpredictable environment discouraged long-term investments and hindered economic growth
• Disruption of trade, destruction of infrastructure, and flight of capital further undermined economic development
• Concentration of power and wealth in hands of small elite perpetuated social and economic inequalities and limited opportunities for upward mobility

Social and Political Ramifications

• Lack of stable and accountable government institutions made implementing coherent policies and programs aimed at promoting education, health care, and social welfare difficult
• Political violence and repression often targeted marginalized groups (indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, the poor), exacerbating social tensions and hindering progress towards greater equality and inclusion
• Constant state of political upheaval and uncertainty made it challenging for civil society organizations and social movements to mobilize and advocate for change
  • Faced threats, persecution, and co-optation by those in power

Challenges to Democratic Consolidation

Historical and Structural Obstacles

• Legacy of colonialism and concentration of power in hands of small elite created deep-rooted obstacles to development of representative and participatory democracy
• Influence of caudillos and regional strongmen undermined rule of law and separation of powers necessary for functioning democratic system
• Ideological polarization between conservatives and liberals, as well as competing regional interests, made achieving consensus and compromise needed for stable democratic governance difficult

Institutional Weaknesses and External Factors

• Weakness of state institutions (judiciary, electoral bodies, civil service) made ensuring free and fair elections, protecting individual rights, and holding those in power accountable challenging
• Economic inequalities and concentration of wealth in hands of few created political system that often prioritized interests of elite over those of majority
  • Led to social unrest and challenges to democratic legitimacy
• External interventions by foreign powers (particularly the United States) often undermined sovereignty and self-determination, making it difficult to develop own democratic institutions and processes
• Lack of strong and independent media, as well as limitations on freedom of expression and association, hindered ability of citizens to participate fully in democratic process and hold leaders accountable