Runoff Rules, Political Parties, and Democracy in Latin America

Abstract

During Latin America's third wave, a majority of countries have adopted a runoff rule for the election of the president. This paper argues that, despite scholarly skepticism about the runoff, it has been positive for democracy. In regression analysis, runoff is statistically significant in explaining levels of democracy in Latin America between 1990 and 2012. It is argued further, examining the cases of Brazil, El Salvador, Peru, and Uruguay, that the runoff is superior because it opens the political arena to new parties and leftist parties, but also entices them towards the political center. Also, examining the case of Chile, it argues that in close elections a runoff provides legitimacy to the winner.