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Why, since the beginning of the twenty-first century, have so many Latin American countries elected governments identifying themselves with the ideological Left? In The Success of the Left in Latin America: Untainted Parties, Market Reforms, and Voting Behavior, Rosario Queirolo argues that the “pink tide” that swept across Latin America beginning in the late 1990s—with the election of a growing number of leftist political candidates to public office—was caused by the intent of voters to punish political parties unable to improve the economic well-being of their electorates. She argues that Latin Americans vote based on performance, ousting those whom they perceive as responsible for economic downturns, and ushering into power those in the “untainted opposition,” which has been the Left in most Latin American countries.
Queirolo argues that the effects of neoliberal economic reforms did not produce more votes for political parties on the Left. Rather, the key variable is unemployment. Left-leaning parties in Latin America increase their electoral chances when unemployment is high. In addition to explaining recent electoral successes of leftist parties, The Success of the Left in Latin America also undermines a dominant scholarly view of Latin Americans as random and unpredictable voters by showing how the electorate at the polls holds politicians accountable.
“Queirolo is at the top of her craft when it comes to debunking myths. The first important myth is the idea that the pink tide [the electoral success of parties on the left] was a novelty. . . . Queirolo shows that the region has had ‘ideological cycles’ in the past, and that the left was a previous favorite. . . The second set of myths Queirolo debunks is the idea that the current phase represents a rejections of the neoliberal policies predominant in the 1990s, or conversely, a sign of ‘disadvantaged classes’ rising politically, or something even simpler—a mere reflection of economic indicators. . . . Queirolo has offered one of the best explanations in the literature for the origins of all this pink.” —The Americas
“Rosario Queirolo’s path-breaking study of the Latin American left departs from this view. . . [that] we tend to ascribe voter behavior and political change to ideological variables. Queirolo’s approach is innovative in its focus on both macro political and micro political variables, and in viewing the question of the recent leftist resurgence in historical perspective. Queirolo’s work substantially advances our understanding of the motivations behind voter behavior in Latin America.” —Democratization
"Queirolo's work substantially advances our understanding of the motivations behind voter behaviour in Latin America. It is clear that in terms of its substantive content, the quality of its argument, and its use of a mixed method and micro and macro focus, this book is essential reading for those seeking to understand not only the recent 'Pink Tide' in Latin America, but also those of the cyclical historical patterns that preceded it." —Democratization
“Many have argued the success of the Left [in Latin America] is due to a rejection of neoliberal reforms, but Queirolo demonstrates how ‘citizens in the region are more outcome than policy oriented.’ Another assumption she successfully challenges is that Latin American electoral behavior is clientelistic and personalistic; however, she shows how in many cases the electorate is sophisticated in demanding accountability.” —Choice
"Rosario Queirolo's The Success of the Left in Latin America: Untainted Parties, Market Reforms, and Voting Behavior makes a valuable contribution to the study of Latin American politics and of comparative politics more generally. Queirolo makes a compelling argument that the general shift to the Left in Latin America was less a straightforward protest against neoliberal policies but more strongly a reaction to negative economic performance. Enriched with extensive survey data, her book is authoritative and persuasive." —Elizabeth J. Zechmeister, Vanderbilt University
"This careful, comprehensive investigation makes an important contribution: It shows that the recent electoral success of the Latin American left did not arise from an ideological backlash against neoliberalism, but rather from a pragmatic quest for economic improvement. The book is a significant addition to the literature." —Kurt Weyland, Lozano Long Professor of Latin American Politics, University of Texas at Austin
"This book breaks new ground in testing the origins of Latin America’s political turn to the Left, exploring the effects of discontent with government performance and market reform policies. Queirolo demonstrates that Latin America has experienced previous periods of leftist electoral success and that the most recent wave is more than a simple backlash against neoliberal reforms. This empirically rich study is a most welcome addition to the growing body of work on voting behavior in Latin America and its relationship to policy and performance." —Kenneth M. Roberts, Cornell University
Rosario Queirolo is associate professor in the department of social and political science at Universidad Católica del Uruguay.
List of Abbreviations
List of Tables
List of Figures
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Rise of Leftist Parties in Latin America
1. Latin American Ideological Cycles in the Postwar Era
2. Economic and Political Conditions That Benefit Leftist Parties in Latin America
3. Micro Explanations for Voting Left in Latin America
4. Latin Americans Are Voting Left: Evidence from Brazil, Mexico, and Uruguay
5. The Reasons for Voting Left: Outcomes, Policies, and Choices
6. The Search for Untainted Parties
Appendix 1: Vote Share and Ideological Cycles
Appendix 2: Description of Variables
Notes
Bibliography
Index