The Legitimacy Puzzle in Latin America

'The Legitimacy Puzzle examines the fundamental question of the popular legitimacy of democratic governments in Latin America - and what shapes these attitudes. Using a rich new wave of cross-national surveys, Booth and Seligson make a major contribution to understanding the political cultures of Latin American nations in both theoretical and empirical terms. It will become a landmark for understanding the political attitudes of Latin American publics, and the consequences of legitimacy attitudes on political behavior.' Russell J. Dalton, University of California, Irvine
'This very smart and appealing book provides further evidence that Mitch Seligson and John Booth are the foremost contemporary students of Latin American political behavior. Drawing upon a wealth of survey data on eight countries spanning fifteen years, the book sets out to understand the 'legitimacy puzzle': specifically, how and why Latin American democracies can survive and continue to function despite declining citizen satisfaction and trust in government institutions and leaders. The authors' analyses of the nature, sources and consequences of political legitimacy are rigorous and painstaking, and their results are both surprising and persuasive. Ultimately they resolve the puzzle with a paradox; far from threatening the survival of democracy, disaffected citizens continue to support democracy while expressing disapproval of the authorities and their policies. Rather than threatening democracy, disaffected citizens are potential sources of reform and renewal. This fascinating book is essential reading for all who value democracy.' William Mishler, University of Arizona