Latin America may be approaching a historic turning point in the areas of political incorporation and labor relations. The levels of economic and social dislocation and political flux in the region are opening up an opportunity for creative, entrepreneurial leaders to change the direction of employment, labor rights, and politics for a new generation. Doing nothing will ensure only that the promising shores of opportunity become the menacing shoals of crisis as the unbending realities of demographics, globalization, and populist opportunism threaten the political and economic fortunes of the region.
About the Authors
Eric Farnsworth
Eric Farnsworth is vice-president of the Council of the Americas. He served in the Clinton White House as an advisor on Western Hemisphere affairs.
Christopher Sabatini is senior director of policy at the Americas Society and Council of the Americas, and has served as director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Endowment for Democracy.
Mexico’s 2003 congressional elections confirmed both the transition to fully competitive politics and the persistence of structural deficiencies associated with a multiparty presidential system.