MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Growing support for democracy

A majority of Latinamericans prefers a democratic government system although 27% are not satisfied with how it's working, and wouldn't mind some form of authoritarian regime.

According to the 2002 edition of Latin Barometer from Mori Consultants, support for democracy increased eight points and now stands at 56%, with Uruguay (77%) and Costa Rica (75%) the countries where people have most faith in this system of government.

At the other end of the rating stand Paraguay, 7%; Argentina 8% and Colombia 11%.

Marta Lagos from Mori Consultants says "this represents a big contrast", adding that 18% of the region's population is indifferent to the political regime and "15% admitted to supporting an authoritarian regime".

As to whom Latinamericans most trust, the Church leads with 71%; media 45%; Armed Forces 38%; while Parliaments only attract 23%, experiencing the greatest drop in the last five years.

"It's surprising given the record in several countries that 38% of Latinamericans trust the Armed Forces and that 50% would actually not mind having a non democratic government", explained Marta Lago.

Support for a non-democratic regime was highest in Guatemala 64%, Nicaragua 63% and Paraguay 62%.

As to the countries that most trust the Armed Forces, Brazil 61%, Colombia 57%, and Venezuela 54%.

Regarding political activity, 36% of Latinamericans trust their governments; 32% the business community; 22% parliaments and only 14% political parties.

On the other hand 52% of Latinamericans believe economic development is more important than democracy, 24% put democracy ahead and 17% rate them even.

As to the open market economy, 24% consider themselves satisfied, 57% believe it convenient and 33% declared themselves unsatisfied. Half of those interviewed blame non-satisfaction on governments and 24% in the business community's lack of initiative.

Finally the countries most admired are Brazil 12%, Mexico 7% and Argentina 6%.

In a scale 0-10, IMF rated 5,1 and the United Nations 6,8. However half of those interviewed were unable to identify the organisations.

The poll was taken in 17 Latinamerican countries between last April and May