Discuss the significance of the challenges faced by two Latin American countries following their transition to democracy.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the challenges faced by two Latin American countries following their transition to democracy. They should demonstrate a clear understanding of the many and diverse challenges faced by new democratic countries during the given period. The countries chosen must have previously been non-democratic. Depending on the countries chosen, economic challenges may include poverty, economic dependence, inflation and hyperinflation and rising foreign debt. Candidates may argue that the democratic governments faced the problems of social inequity, such as illiteracy, uneven distribution of land and housing. These issues were long standing in the history of many Latin American countries and it became a challenge to address them when combined with other economic problems. Other challenges that might be discussed are creation/restoration of a constitution, the restoration of personal freedoms and holding free elections. Multiple parties often resulted in a divided legislature, weakening governments’ ability to act. Possible examples are Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay but other relevant cases are acceptable.