Latin American president juggling political symbols

Latin America's Political Puzzle: Why Presidential Power Doesn't Always Win

Rhea Morgan in Politics & Policy September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the surprising dynamics shaping legislative support for foreign policy in Latin America. Is presidential popularity enough to pass laws?"

In the vibrant landscape of Latin American politics, the relationship between a president and the legislature is a complex dance. It's not always a straightforward case of the executive branch leading and the legislative branch following. A critical question arises: what truly determines legislative support for a president's foreign policy initiatives? Understanding this dynamic is key to grasping the region's political realities.

Conventional wisdom suggests that a popular president, backed by a strong coalition, should easily get their policies approved. However, research reveals a more nuanced picture. Legislative behavior in Latin America is influenced by a unique interplay of factors, often defying expectations. This article dives into these surprising dynamics, exploring how political parties and politicians navigate presidential foreign policy.

Drawing on extensive research spanning eight countries and two decades, we'll unpack the key elements that shape legislative support. We'll move beyond simple assumptions about presidential power and delve into the roles of party ideology, coalition size, and the structure of the party system. Get ready to challenge your understanding of presidential influence and discover the hidden forces driving foreign policy in Latin America.

The Unexpected Drivers of Legislative Support: It's Not Just About Popularity

Latin American president juggling political symbols

For many, the immediate assumption is that a president's popularity is the golden ticket to legislative success. If the people support the leader, shouldn't the legislature fall in line? While appealing, this idea doesn't fully capture the reality in Latin America. The research indicates that other factors wield considerable influence, sometimes even overshadowing presidential approval ratings.

So, what are these crucial factors? The study highlights three key elements that consistently shape legislative support for presidential foreign policy agendas:

Political Party Ideology: Where a political party stands on the ideological spectrum significantly affects its willingness to support a president's initiatives. The study shows that ideological alignment, or lack thereof, plays a pivotal role in shaping legislative behavior.
Size of the Governing Coalition: The extent to which the president's party can create alliances affects legislative dynamics. A larger coalition doesn't automatically guarantee more support.
Effective Number of Parties (ENP): The structure of the party system is critical. The ENP, which reflects the number and relative strength of political parties, significantly impacts how easily a president can get their policies through the legislature. A fragmented party system can create gridlock, regardless of presidential popularity.

These findings challenge the traditional emphasis on presidential popularity as the primary determinant of legislative success. Instead, they reveal a more complex landscape where party dynamics and the structure of the political system take center stage.

Challenging Assumptions, Embracing Complexity

The study's findings underscore the need to move beyond simplistic assumptions about presidential power and legislative behavior. While a president's popularity undoubtedly matters, it's just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The ideologies of political parties, the size of governing coalitions, and the effective number of parties (ENP) all play critical roles in shaping legislative support for foreign policy initiatives in Latin America. As the study reveals, a deeper understanding of these dynamics is crucial for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of the region's political landscape.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0102-8529.2016380100013, Alternate LINK

Title: Presidents, Legislators, And Foreign Policy In Latin America

Subject: Microbiology

Journal: Contexto Internacional

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Pedro Feliú Ribeiro, Flávio Pinheiro

Published: 2016-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

Is a president's high approval rating always enough to ensure legislative support for their foreign policy in Latin America?

No, a president's popularity isn't always sufficient to guarantee legislative support for foreign policy initiatives in Latin America. While popularity does play a role, research indicates that factors like political party ideology, the size of the governing coalition, and the effective number of parties (ENP) often wield considerable influence, sometimes overshadowing presidential approval ratings. Understanding the interplay of these elements provides a more accurate view of legislative behavior.

What key factors, beyond presidential popularity, significantly influence legislative support for foreign policy in Latin America?

Beyond presidential popularity, three key factors consistently shape legislative support for presidential foreign policy agendas in Latin America. These are: Political Party Ideology, where a party stands on the ideological spectrum affects its willingness to support a president's initiatives; the Size of the Governing Coalition, the extent to which the president's party can create alliances affects legislative dynamics; and the Effective Number of Parties (ENP), the structure of the party system which reflects the number and relative strength of political parties. These factors often outweigh presidential approval ratings in determining legislative outcomes.

How does 'Political Party Ideology' affect legislative support for a president's foreign policy?

Political Party Ideology plays a pivotal role in shaping legislative behavior regarding foreign policy. Parties that align ideologically with the president are more likely to support their initiatives, while those with differing ideologies may oppose them. This ideological alignment, or lack thereof, is a critical determinant of legislative support, often superseding considerations of presidential popularity. Understanding a party's position on the ideological spectrum is key to predicting its stance on foreign policy issues.

Does a larger governing coalition always translate to greater legislative support for a president's foreign policy?

Not necessarily. While a larger governing coalition might seem like a guaranteed path to legislative success, research indicates that the relationship is more complex. The size of the governing coalition is definitely a factor, but it doesn't automatically translate into more support. Other elements, like the cohesiveness of the coalition and the individual ideologies of the parties within it, also affect the dynamics. A large but fractured coalition might face more internal disagreements and challenges than a smaller, more unified one.

What is the 'Effective Number of Parties (ENP),' and how does it impact a president's ability to pass foreign policy legislation?

The Effective Number of Parties (ENP) is a measure that reflects the number and relative strength of political parties within a party system. It significantly impacts a president's ability to get their policies through the legislature. In a fragmented party system, indicated by a high ENP, a president may face gridlock as they navigate a multitude of competing interests and demands. This can hinder their ability to build consensus and secure legislative support, regardless of their personal popularity. A lower ENP typically indicates a more consolidated party system, potentially easing the path for policy passage.