Democratic Attitudes, Populism, and Opposition to Immigration in Latin America

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

Across Latin America, rightist politicians are resurgent, while populists on the right and the left are consolidating power once held by legislators. Meanwhile, a series of economic crises have sent waves of migration across the region, arousing resentment and support for tough-on-crime and anti-immigrant policies. These trends threaten democracy in the region -- which, as recently as a decade ago, had been thought to be largely consolidated in most countries. The four papers in this panel all explore the public opinion roots of the rise of populist, rightist, and authoritarian politicians. The first two papers examine dynamics and consequences of support for democracy as well as authoritarian parenting attitudes. The second two papers address the complex relationship between immigration, fear of crime, and racial attitudes. Taken as a whole, the papers suggest that democracy’s roots in the citizenry remain robust, if increasingly threatened.

Sub Unit

• Division 11: Comparative Politics

Individual Presentations

• Are Supporters of Populism Less Likely to Support Democracy in Latin America? - Dinorah Azpuru, Wichita State University; Mary Fran T. Malone, University of New Hampshire

• Authoritarian Parenting Attitudes Polarize When Authoritarians are on the Ballot - Mason Wallace Moseley, West Virginia University; Mollie Cohen, University of Georgia; Matthew L. Layton, Ohio University; Amy Erica Smith, Iowa State University

• Immigration Shocks, Racial Discrimination, and Crime Perceptions - Giancarlo Visconti, Purdue University; Fernando Severino, University of Minnesota

• Migrants, Between Discrimination & Prejudice: Experimental Evidence from Mexico - Daniel Zizumbo-Colunga, CIDE

Chair

• Amy Erica Smith Iowa State University

Discussants

• Mason Wallace Moseley West Virginia University

• Caitlin Andrews-Lee Ryerson University