Latin America's Social Democratic And Socialist Governments Keep Getting Re-elected

Why Latin America's Governments Keep Getting Re-elected
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa (L) and Vice-President elect Jorge Glass, celebrate their victory on Sunday's general election, at Carondelet presidential palace in Quito on February 18, 2013. Fresh from a landslide re-election victory, President Rafael Correa hoped Monday to match it with a sweeping legislative win needed to clear the way for deeper socialist changes in Ecuador. AFP PHOTO/RODRIGO BUENDIA (Photo credit should read RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP/Getty Images)
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa (L) and Vice-President elect Jorge Glass, celebrate their victory on Sunday's general election, at Carondelet presidential palace in Quito on February 18, 2013. Fresh from a landslide re-election victory, President Rafael Correa hoped Monday to match it with a sweeping legislative win needed to clear the way for deeper socialist changes in Ecuador. AFP PHOTO/RODRIGO BUENDIA (Photo credit should read RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Ever since the crash of 2008 exposed the rotten core of a failed economic model, we've been told there are no viable alternatives. As Europe sinks deeper into austerity, governing parties of whatever stripe are routinely rejected by disillusioned voters – only to be replaced by others delivering more welfare cuts, privatisation and inequality.

So what should we make of a part of the world where governments have resolutely turned their back on that model, slashed poverty and inequality, taken back industries and resources from corporate control, massively expanded public services and democratic participation – and keep getting re-elected in fiercely contested elections?

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