Kellogg faculty fellow Scott Mainwaring has published a pivotal article, "The Third Wave’s Lessons for Democracy," in the Journal of Democracy.
The article examines the global "third wave" of democratization, focusing on its impact in Latin America from 1978 to 2002, when the region experienced a remarkable transformation from authoritarian regimes to widespread electoral democracies. Mainwaring highlights two distinct phases: the first characterized by democratic transitions and deepening, and the second, beginning around 2006, marked by stagnation and modest democratic erosion. The study also identifies key challenges such as entrenched authoritarianism, weak state capacity, and inequality that continue to affect the region’s democratic progress. Through this analysis, Mainwaring offers five lessons on democratization, emphasizing the resilience of democracy in difficult contexts but cautioning against complacency in addressing democratic deficits.
Mainwaring is the Eugene and Helen Conley Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame and coeditor of the acclaimed book Democracy in Hard Places (2022), among others. A leading expert in comparative politics, his work focuses on democratization, party systems, and political institutions.