Introduction

Excerpt

During the past decade, Latin America’s emerging economic markets have translated into strong financial structures and robust central banking systems. However, transparent and accessible public sector delivery continues to face significant challenges. Critics remain skeptic of Latin American governments’ capacity to effectively serve their constituents and advance the public interest. The region’s governance is challenged by many factors—internal and external—that weaken its effectiveness. In this context, this Public Organization Review Special Issue highlights five papers that will further our understanding of governance in Latin America democracies. The issue features conceptual exploratory studies and empirical research findings focused on governance in the region. In the papers that follow, each of the author’s perspective pieces expound on the current state of governance in Latin America, exploring issues ranging from what constitutes governance in Latin America and its challenges to the role of political interest and how they could hinder public policy. …