ABSTRACT
The 2007 presidential elections in Guatemala were rampant with violence. About 30 candidates, political activists and campaign workers, representing all political parties, were murdered during the year leading up to the elections. The 'third wave' of democratisation saw an increase in regimes that were not fully democratic, but also not completely authoritarian. Although it was predicted they were simply on the road to democratisation, these hybrid regimes were, in fact, quite stable. Clientelism has been identified as one such malpractice. This practice rests upon exchanges "in which politicians provide goods and services targeted to individual or small groups of voters" in exchange for votes. This chapter explores organised crime as potential powerful brokers, and key actors that may function as intermediaries between politicians and voters. The protection and persistence of organised crime groups may lead to devastating consequences for states undergoing democratisation.
