Each year, students, faculty and alumni of the Latin American Studies program convene to share in an academic experience that brings to the fore and to campus a major topic, event, and country of Latin America. Originally designed as a capstone experience for the students of the program, we have expanded the Foro to include our alumni and the program’s entire faculty in order to give it a truly communal sense. The Foro will also provide the Carleton community at large with the opportunity to participate in a major event involving Latin America.

2025 Foro Latinamericano

New Polarizations in Latin America

Dates: Friday, April 25 – Saturday, April 26, 2025

Location: Weitz 236

The 2025 Foro Latinoamericano will examine the “new polarization” in Latin America, focusing on how democracies in the region are becoming more divisive and confrontational, threatening democratic institutions. Contemporary polarization differs from that of the 1960s and 70s, which was often between non-democratic actors, whereas now it typically occurs between rivals within the democratic arena. This new polarization is marked by a shift from primarily ideological conflicts to those with affective and cultural components, centered on “us versus them” identities, at both the elite and mass levels. Participants will present new research on the various factors contributing to its development, including elite strategies, social mobilization, and the role of anti-partisanship. They will also consider the ways in which the new polarization presents a threat to democracy, potentially leading to democratic backsliding and the use of undemocratic methods. 

See the full schedule on our events calendar or in our 2025 Foro brochure!

Speakers

Santiago Anria

Assistant Professor in the Department of Global Labor and Work, Cornell University
Santiago Anria

Sandra Botero

Visiting Fellow at the Kellogg Institute, University of Notre Dame and Associate Professor at Universidad del Rosario (Colombia)
Sandra Botero

Jennifer McCoy

Regent’s Professor of Political Science, Georgia State University, and nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Jennifer McCoy

Alfred Montero

Frank B. Kellogg Professor of Political Science and Latin American Studies, Carleton College
Alfred Montero

Kenneth Roberts

Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Government, Cornell University
Kenneth Roberts

Orçun Selçuk

Assistant Professor, Political Science, Luther College
Orçun Selçuk

Sponsored by:

  • The Latin American Studies Program
  • The Office of the Provost
  • The Gary Wynia Memorial Lecture in Latin American Political Economy
  • The Political Science/International Relations Department