ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the contexts in which the presidentas rose to power. All governed in presidentialist systems, suggesting their greater autonomy and powers available relative to other women executives worldwide. The chapter explores possible nuances in political institutions and processes. Though Latin America represents one main region in which presidentialism is the prevailing executive system adopted, specific presidential candidate selection procedures vary as do particular presidential authorities. Based on the nature of the party system, findings generally stress the importance of coalition building which ultimately shape presidential actions. Women in politics are not common place in Chile and Brazil but are in Argentina and Costa Rica, perhaps making Bachelet's and Rousseff's ascensions more surprising than Fernandez's and Chinchilla's. Based on the analysis, the countries explored may be linked in the elections of women presidents yet differ in the extent to which women's incorporation in other political offices.
