Abstract

One of the defining characteristics of Latin American politics is the prevalence of the presidential form of government in the region. This chapter provides an overview of the functioning of presidentialism and of the legislatures in Latin America. First, it identifies those countries where the presidential regime type is present. Second, it discusses the relationship between presidentialism and democracy in the region. Third, it explores the basic dynamics of the presidential election process. Fourth, it details the basic dynamics of the legislative election process within these presidential systems. Fifth, it examines executive-legislative relations in Latin America’s presidential democracies from both a constitutional and partisan perspective.