Chairs:

• Heber Joel Campos – hcampos@pucp.pe

Presidentialism has its origins in the Philadelphia Constitution of 1787. From there, it has served as a point of reference for most Latin American republics that gained their independence in the early 19th century. However, its functioning and dynamics often diverge—sometimes significantly—from those of its original model. Latin American presidentialism, therefore, has developed into a distinct model, taking on various forms. On one hand, it appears as hyper-presidentialism—as is the case, for example, in countries like Argentina, Ecuador, or Colombia—while in others, it manifests as weak presidentialism, where the president is subject to strict controls not only by the Legislative Branch but also by the Judiciary or other autonomous constitutional bodies. In fact, in some countries (such as Peru, for example), presidentialism can adopt either identity depending on the balance of forces within Congress, giving rise to a kind of hybrid presidentialism in which divided government is a defining feature.

This workshop will examine the defining characteristics of Latin American presidentialism, addressing its main vicissitudes and challenges. It will analyze how its principal institutions function and the ways in which they interact with the historical trajectories and experiences of the region’s different countries. The workshop will also explore long-standing reform initiatives aimed at addressing the specific problems associated with this distinctive system of government.