But the world is not as willing to focus critical attention on political systems that fall short of outright dictatorship. More important, voters will grant their leaders autocratic powers when they do not believe democracy has helped them. Democratic governments are currently unable to contain a crime wave in several nations that is persuading some Latin Americans to support undemocratic measures or strongman rule. As has often been the case, people in Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru have turned against the traditional party system because they see it as protecting the privileged. Globalization has increased inequality in much of Latin America and made the poor feel more neglected.
Dictatorship is no solution.
Although Gen. Augusto Pinochet gained worldwide praise for his economic reforms in Chile, he is an exception among Latin dictators. Once in office, autocratic presidents can use their powers to grab far more than the usual advantages of incumbency. Peru used to have relatively clean elections, but few believe that Mr. Fujimori's electoral test in April will be a fair one. He has shut down virtually all critical television news and effectively controls the agencies that will oversee the election. Opposition politicians have been harassed, their campaign events are often sabotaged, and their paid commercials have been rejected by Lima's television networks.