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AllanK's avatar

I appreciate this report on the under reported success for Democracy. I read Persuasion because it had reports like this

I think calling US government, through Biden, as “ fatal to Guatemala’s democrats” is bizare. It seems more like that support was an essential element of the success. I’m very happy Biden played that role.

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Guy Bassini's avatar

I don’t know that international public opinion and nobody knowing about the Guatemalan election are the same things. A relatively small number of people read quality newspapers, of which few remain. People who read The Economist, Le Monde, or The Wall Street Journal are aware of it. The coverage at The Economist has been quite good.

The question of popular opinion comes down to where the money and the power are. There is little of either in Latin America. Yet, much good news has come from there lately, including the change of power in Brazil, the rejection of the proposed constitution in Chile, and now Guatemala.

Promoting democratic institutions as a core value has become passé among the ruling class. It is a cudgel for partisans to use against their opponents, but little more. Public opinion reflects an awareness of this sad condition.

Perhaps the good news that America has forcefully returned to backing democratic values means America is finding its way. That is worth celebrating, as is the Guatemalan election.

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