The need for cohesion in Latin Amerika 

Answers from two experts for transformation and peace making 

In their conversation, Dolores González Saravia, lecturer and expert in conflict transformation, facilitation of dialogue and negotiation processes and Alberto Irezabal Vilaclara, analyze how neoliberal economic structures and authoritarian tendencies are weakening trust in democratic processes in Latin America. They advocate for participatory and inclusive decision-making models that strengthen social cohesion and integrate local perspectives. Both emphasize that dialogue, conflict transformation, and traditional knowledge systems are key to renewing democracy. The two emphasize the specific context in Latin America, where private actors often influence power structures. 

 

What future does democracy have considering the rise of authoritarian powers? 

We are experiencing a global crisis of the liberal democracy model, a product of this neoliberal phase of the economic system in which states have subordinated themselves to the interests of capital, abandoning in several ways their role in wealth distribution and social regulation in favor of common good. This has been particularly severe at a historical moment when the process of capitalist accumulation becomes deeper and more violent with the extractive economy, the widening inequality gaps, the emergence of the criminal economy and war, with profound impacts and effects on the lives of the majority, especially in the global south. 

 

Politics has been losing ground 

This situation has been fostering general discontent with politics and the mechanisms of traditional democracy, a breakdown of social consensus due to the inability to protect the general interest in the most basic aspects for people: their integrity, security, and dignified living and working conditions.  

Thus, politics has been losing ground. New formulas or leaderships are emerging that, from authoritarian or populist political practices, both right and left, promise to solve social problems at the expense of democratic mechanisms and human rights, leading to the establishment of elites at the top of political power.  

In reality, the future of our political life will depend on the social capacity to establish a new model of political organization and regulation that represents and centers social interest, based not only on the values of participatory democracy but also on justice, equity, diversity, sustainability, and the care of life in all its expressions with a common good approach. In this context of civilizational crisis, this is a great challenge but also an opportunity to generate the necessary changes. 

 

According to your experience, what promotes and what hinders democratic decision-making? 

In one hand, there must be conditions for democratic decision-making: full freedom and transparent, verified, and sufficient information to make a truly informed decision about the options, without any conditioning or coercion. The mechanisms for participating in these decisions must be accessible and inclusive for the majority of interested people, with appropriate methodologies to access information, intervene in deliberation, and above all, be part of the decision. 

 

Major difficulties in Latin Amerika

On the other hand, there are four major difficulties that are visible in Latin America: 

Firstly, disinformation and manipulation in social networks and commercial media, which with enormous resources and without any regulation have led to the prevalence of polarization, lies, and fear in public debate. The owners of these media are playing a decisive role in the political life of today's society. An example of this can be seen currently in Argentina. 

Secondly, in Latin America, mainly in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, the trend of judicializing political life is clearly seen as many political decisions are taken to the courts, excluding the social majorities from the decision. 

Thirdly, The presence and influence of other actors in public life, such as companies and economic elites or criminal groups with significant capture of public powers. In México it stands out.  

Fourthly, the option for security at the expense of rights, and the degradation it entails of the possibilities to analyze, explain, nuance, or discern the different alternatives. This is visible in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. 

Are democratic decisions always good? 

If the conditions are fair and the available options represent the diverse interests of those affected, the decision-making process remains democratic. Despite the possibility of errors, it is essential to trust and respect the will of the majority. 

 

Pathways to improve democracy 

In Latin America, we find decision-making processes rooted in local worldviews and the common good - including nature - within the institutional framework of indigenous peoples. These experiences show pathways to improve our western democratic model, with interesting approaches to timing and rhythms of making important decisions, or methodologies to reach consensus with a common good approach. 

How does decision-making in business differ from that in politics? What can and should both sides learn from each other? 

In the business world, the logic of decision-making is oriented towards profitability and the search for organizational efficiency from a private perspective. In politics, the public interest should be the fundamental criteria to consider. However, in both cases, different or conflicting interests must be dealt with, and there are various methodologies to transform conflicting agendas into mutually beneficial solutions that can be useful for both economic actors and institutional actors. It’s always possible to share learnings and tools without forgetting the different nature and purpose of these two entities, especially their objective is to focus on the common good. 

 

Dolores is an expert in conflict transformation, dialogue facilitation and future studies. For many years she directed Servicios y Asesoria para la Paz (SERAPAZ) promoting their Peace School “jTatic Samuel” and participated as an international observer for peace processes. She serves in different social organizations and NGO boards and currently leads the research line on Peace Building and Future Studies at CIIESS at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. If you want to learn more about Dolores' work, you can reach her via maria.gonzalezs@ibero.mx 

Alberto is the director of the International Investigation Center of Social and Solidarity Economics (CIIESS) of the Universidad Iberoamericana (Ibero) at Mexico City, specializing in financing, capacity building and multi stake holder strategies for social enterprises. He has been part of the organizing team of the biennial conference on Environmental Justice organized by the Lassalle-Institut. Since 2007 he has worked alongside tseltal indigenous communities in the northern jungle of Chiapas, México in the promotion of inclusive development alternatives for the organic coffee, honey, personal care and finance value chains. He serves in both national and international academic, editorial and business boards and committees. More about Alberto’s work can be found on the website of the CIIESS or you can reach out via alberto.irezabal@ibero.mx 

Interview: Theo Haas