Party system institutionalization and the recursive nature of political crises

Abstract

This paper underscores the broader significance of understanding party system institutionalization for the study of democratic resilience in Latin America. The analysis suggests that the consolidation of institutional constraints remains a decisive factor in mediating the relationship between societal transformation and political order. Ultimately, the capacity of party systems to incorporate new demands determines not only their own stability but also the prospects for durable democracy in the region. Nevertheless, the pervasive lack of party system institutionalization in the region over time shows the difficulty of achieving it and, in turn, consolidate democratic order beyond favorable contexts.