Latin America: A Surge to the Center

Latin America’s expanding links to the rest of the world are resulting in swelling middle classes and a move towards more pragmatic, centrist politics. Despite some exceptions and sharp differences among the countries, most of the region is confronting economic, social and security challenges within a narrower ideological range than in the past. Brazil’s progress stands out in this regard. Successful performance has eluded countries with a more marked ideological orientation such as Venezuela. But Latin American leaders will need to avoid complacency, and respond to mounting demands—as revealed in recent electoral results in Chile, Colombia and Brazil—for more honest and effective approaches to governing.