Indeed, while the various legislative and presidential elections held throughout Latin America reinforced – beyond the outcomes in each case – popular commitment to pluralism and democracy, they also reflected growing levels of political polarization and persistent institutional shortcomings. In a way, this reveals a paradox of Latin American democracy: exclusive, minority governments that devalue and weaken the state are no longer acceptable, while the rise of personalismo – a concentration of power and coupled with refractory political tactics – are bringing about fragmentation and unruly governance.
事实上，尽管拉美各国举行的立法和总统选举无论结果如何都强化了民众对多元化和民主的信念，但同时也反映出越来越严重的政治极化和持续存在的制度缺陷。从某种角度讲，这揭示了拉美地区民主的悖论：贬低和削弱国家价值的少数人组成的排外政府再也不为民众所接受，但借助顽固政治手段集权的个人统治却正在抬头 —— 它导致政府执政四分五裂，毫无秩序可言。