Overview

What explains variance in presidential power between countries? In Presidential Power in Latin America, Dan Berbecel provides a general, systematic theory for explaining presidential power in practice as opposed to presidential power in theory. Using expert survey data from Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) alongside interviews with high-level figures in politics, the judiciary, the public administration, NGOs, and academia in Argentina and Chile, Berbecel argues that constitutional presidential power (formal power) is a very poor predictor of presidential power in practice (informal power). Given the poor predictive value of formal rules, he provides an explanation why hyperpresidentialism emerges in some countries but not in others. Berbecel attributes the root causes of hyperpresidentialism to three independent variables (the strength of state institutions, the size of the president’s party in congress, and whether or not the country has a history of economic crises) which together determine how likely it is that a president will be able to concentrate power. Presidential Power in Latin America will be of key interest to scholars and students of executive politics, Latin American politics, and more broadly, comparative politics.

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9780367690557

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Dan Berbecel's book is an excellent contribution to the literatures on presidentialism, how to limit the likelihood of executive takeovers of democracy, and Latin American politics. It shows that presidents' de facto powers diverge markedly from their constitutional powers. The book is well researched and written. Scott Mainwaring, Eugene and Helen Conley Professor of Political Science, Notre Dame

Dan Berbecel's book is an excellent contribution to the literatures on presidentialism, how to limit the likelihood of executive takeovers of democracy, and Latin American politics. It shows that presidents' de facto powers diverge markedly from their constitutional powers. The book is well researched and written. Scott Mainwaring, Eugene and Helen Conley Professor of Political Science, Notre Dame

“Dan Berbecel’s book is an excellent contribution to the literatures on presidentialism, how to limit the likelihood of executive takeovers of democracy, and Latin American politics. It shows that presidents’ de facto powers diverge markedly from their constitutional powers. The book is well researched and written.” Scott Mainwaring, Eugene and Helen Conley Professor of Political Science, Notre Dame

Author Information

Dan Berbecel is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at York University (the Glendon Campus) in Toronto, Canada. His main area of research interest is Comparative Politics, with a focus on Latin American Politics.

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