A “Left Turn” in Latin America? Explaining the Left’s Resurgence

The resurgence of leftist parties in recent Latin American elections is best understood as a regional wave, in which extreme socioeconomic inequality has generated broad support for leftist candidates in many countries, while international factors including the diffusion of democratic norms and increased economic integration have encouraged moderation among both leftist governments and their traditional antagonists. This leftward shift in electoral politics will most likely be an enduring feature of Latin America's democratic future.