Since the onset of the so-called Third Wave of Democracy, research on democracy in Latin America has shifted focus from the transition and consolidation of democracy to the quality of present democratic regimes.

The latter orientation pays particular attention to issues such as the relationship between executive, legislative and judiciary bodies of government; the responsiveness of governments and political parties to the preferences of the electorate; the threats to democratic governance posed by anti-establishment movements and political leaders; and the uneven reach of the state and state functions throughout national territory.