Measuring Public and Middle Class Attitudes to Democracy and Markets

Are the benefits of economic growth creating stronger democracies in Latin America? Has support for market economics increased or declined? Will Latin America’s new middle class play a stabilizing role in the region? We are pleased to invite you to a lunch discussion on public opinion, economic outcomes, democratic experiences, and the middle class in the Americas. Researchers from Vanderbilt University’s Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) will present the results from their 2012 AmericasBarometer survey, which was conducted in 26 countries in the Western Hemisphere. LAPOP Director Mitchell Seligson and LAPOP Associate Director Elizabeth Zechmeister will discuss key findings on popular opinions toward the economy, tolerance, corruption, and support for democracy in the Americas. Special focus will be given to middle class support for democracy and values, as published in the Fall 2012 issue of Americas Quarterly (available here). In addition, we will have a representative from the private sector discuss the implications of the findings for investment and markets. 

Speakers:

• Lisa Schineller, Managing Director, Latin American Sovereign Ratings, Standard & Poor's
• Mitchell A. Seligson, Centennial Professor of Political Science and Professor of Sociology (by courtesy); Director, Latin American Public Opinion Project, Vanderbilt University
• Elizabeth J. Zechmeister, Associate Professor, Political Science; Associate Director, Latin American Public Opinion Project, Vanderbilt University
• Christopher Sabatini, Editor-in-Chief, Americas Quarterly; Senior Director of Policy, Americas Society/Council of the Americas (moderator)

Prior registration is required.

Registration: This event is now free of charge.
Credit will be given to those who paid earlier.

Copies of the Fall 2012 Americas Quarterly issue will be available for sale.

Event Information: Contact Wilda Escarfuller at wescarfuller@as-coa.org 212-277-8387, or please visit www.as-coa.org.
Press: Contact Adriana La Rotta at alarotta@as-coa.org or 1-212-277-8384.
Cancellation: Contact Juan Serrano-Badrena at jserrano@counciloftheamericas.org, before 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2013.