An unpublished study of political party and electoral systems in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela reveals a series of challenges for political parties in the Andean countries.
“These are five countries in which democratic life has become particularly fragile, and which are also engaged in a long and complicated effort at integration”, said Rafael Roncagliolo, director of IDEA’s political reform project in the Andean region.
While the study is still incomplete, preliminary findings point to: a lack of a common understanding of what constitutes a “party” in the region’s changing political context; the fragmentation reflected in the large number of parties (221 in the five countries, with 80 in Venezuela, 61 in Colombia, 35 in Ecuador, 27 in Peru and 18 in Bolivia); heterogeneity among the parties (two date back to 1849, while 155 are on average less than 15 years old); and high electoral volatility.
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IDEA, the United Nations Development Programme, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Andean Community of Nations and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy sponsored the study. Researchers gathered qualitative and quantitative data about Andean political systems in order to make recommendations to strengthen political systems and good governance. The study findings are expected to foster national dialogue groups in each country, and support the creation of an Andean Forum of Political Parties.
“The study will lead to recommendations to help parties develop an agenda of legal and practical measures to strengthen governance in the region. The idea is that these parties can create an Andean dialogue process for reflection and consensus building between parties and with civil society”, said Roncagliolo.
The study is part of IDEA’s research efforts in 40 countries worldwide focusing on four areas: political party systems, electoral systems, the relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government, and political parties and the promotion of poverty reduction and social cohesion.
Results on the topic of parties, poverty reduction and social cohesion are expected in January 2006 and results on electoral systems and executive–legislative relations are scheduled to be released in April 2006. The findings will be presented and debated in regional seminars with political parties throughout the Andean region.
Contact: Rafael Roncagliolo, director of the political reform project in the Andean region at: Rafael@agorademocratica.org.pe
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