Strong civic engagement and low inequality have helped the country avoid the political polarization sweeping the globe.
On March 1, Yamandú Orsi will take office as the next president of Uruguay. Orsi, of the center-left Frente Amplio coalition, defeated the ruling center-right coalition’s nominee in a runoff last November. Unlike in many other democracies around the world, there was no doubt that both candidates would accept the election’s results immediately and commit to a peaceful transfer of power.
Uruguay has proved remarkably resilient in the face of the increasing political polarization sweeping the globe. The country has one of the highest GDPs per capita in Latin America and is often dubbed the region’s “Switzerland.” While disagreements exist—as in any democracy—political opponents rarely turn into personal enemies. Citizens tend not to gravitate toward extreme positions and are far less prone to the us-vs.-them mentality that has taken root elsewhere. Elections occur with little drama.
It’s no surprise, then, that Uruguay ranks above France, the United Kingdom, and the United States in numerous respected democratic indices, such as the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance has Germany and Uruguay tied for first place in terms of political representation, reflecting the country’s….
