Political Science 221, Latin American Politics Winter Term 2005

Session 8: The Fragility of Democracy and Institutional Responses (March 2, Wednesday)

(1) What aspects of Brazilian democracy strengthen and weaken state capacity? Be sure to list three factors. What institutional changes would Brazil need to see in order to address the weaknesses?

(2) What is the relationship between democratization and decentralization of the state in Brazil? How does decentralization both weaken and strengthen democratization? What institutional changes would Brazil need to see in order to address the weaknesses?