ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the extent to which Latin American presidents really are constrained. Their freedom of action is limited. It deals therefore with the question of the different types of presidential institutional arrangement on the capacities of leadership. The conditions and manifestations of presidential leadership in Latin American countries find their origins in the traditional personal politics in this area. 'Personalismo', and its variant 'caudillismo', are deeply rooted and have long dominated Latin American politics. The significance of leadership skills is important analysis of the performance of political leaders. In presidential regimes, presidents are more likely to have complex relations with a larger number of actors at different levels of the system. The president's ability to run the presidential party depends on the nature of that party. Latin American presidents usually have a strong influence within their party, of which they most often control the leadership and have often founded.