We’re all used to hearing pessimistic headlines about the state of democracy in Latin America and beyond. But the latest edition of the AmericasBarometer survey suggests the mood may be shifting.
Support for democracy across the Americas rose between 2023 and 2026, the first broad upturn in the region’s commitment to democracy in a generation. The survey, from Vanderbilt University’s Center for Global Democracy and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame, includes more than 25,000 interviews across 21 countries, from Argentina to the United States and Canada. It also offers a rare look inside Cuba, fresh data on how the region views China and the U.S. under President Trump, and a surprising decline in how many people say they want to emigrate.
This week on the podcast, we break down the findings with Noam Lupu, Director of the Center for Global Democracy at Vanderbilt University.
Listen to this episode and subscribe to The Americas Quarterly Podcast on Apple, Spotify and other platforms
Guest:
Noam Lupu is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Global Democracy at Vanderbilt University.
Host:
Brian Winter is editor in chief of Americas Quarterly
If you would like to know more:
Support for Democracy—but also Strongmen—Is Rising in Latin America by Noam Lupu
Why a Shield for Democracy in the Americas is Under Strain by Thomas Legler
Why the Liberal Order Is Unraveling in the Americas by Andrés Malamud, Juan Pablo Luna, Alberto Vergara
Can Liberal Democracy Adapt Before It Unravels? by Andrés Malamud
