MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Democracy loosing ground.

Democracy and the degree of satisfaction with democracy is loosing ground in Latinamerica given the effects of the extended economic crisis in the area, according to an annual poll taken since 1995 by a Chilean Social Studies Group, Latinobarómetro

"There's a strong relation between government economic achievement and the way people assess democracy", reads the 2001 report.

The overall figures indicate that less than one in two Latianmerican citizens support democracy and one in four is satisfied with democracy.

"Democracy support has dropped 12 points from 60% in 2000 to 48% in 2001. Satisfaction with democracy has also dropped 12 points, from 37% in 2000 to 25% in 2001", adds the report.

The numbers are particularly significant since during four years the democratic system, 1996 and 2000, has a stable support, and it was in 2001 that it dropped.

The country with the highest support for democracy and satisfaction, is Uruguay with 67%, while at the opposite end figure Paraguay with 23% and Colombia, 22%.

Argentina from 53% in 1996 has dropped to 25% in 2001.

The brunt of the economic crisis is what has made 51% of those polled believe that economic development is more important than democracy. Only 25% feel it's democracy and 18% that both must be equally taken into consideration.

The Latinobarometro poll is based on an only set of questions in 17 countries, from Punta Arenas in Chile to Tijuana in the American-Mexican border, and is financed by multilateral organizations such as the InterAmerican Development Bank, private foundations and The Economist. A total of 18,135 people were interviewed.

However non satisfaction with democracy does not mean an inclination for non democratic governments: in 1996 the index was 17%, it's currently 19%.

People in the area trust most the Catholic Church and television, while Congress and political parties figure bottom of the list. Congress particularly only has a 5% support.

Finally 64% of those interviewed distrust elected rulers compares to 26% who do.