Events in the last several decades have given rise to new political and social pressures in Latin American society. By the early 1990s, most of the countries of Latin America were moving toward constitutional government.
Women are one emerging political force. The struggle for women’s right to vote began in Latin America around World War I. However, not until 1961 did women win the right to vote throughout the region. Their votes increased their influence in government. Even though Latin American women continue to struggle for full equality with men, they have had some political successes. In several of the southern Latin American countries-such as Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina-women were leaders in the struggle against military dictatorships.
Labor also gained political clout in postwar Latin America. As employment in factories increased, labor organizing spread and the union movement grew stronger. Today there are about 40 million union members in Latin America, making up about 20 percent of the workforce. The labor movement has experienced success with strikes and other actions to achieve better conditions.
The Roman Catholic Church represents another emerging political force. In the past, the Catholic Church had supported conservative ideas in Latin American society and politics, which usually translated to church support of those already in power. Historically, however, the church has maintained a concern for the poor and the powerless. Following a meeting of the Catholic bishops of the region in 1968, the church’s leaders began to take more liberal stands on the political issues of welfare and human rights.
A theology of liberation emerged, in which many church leaders committed themselves to the struggle for social justice and pledged to change oppressive economic and political systems. Grassroots organizations emerged, often led by priests, and combined religious study with efforts to solve practical social problems.
Although the majority of Latin Americans remained Catholic, Protestantism expanded rapidly in the late 1900s. The emphasis of Protestants on individual spiritual improvement and a close relationship between the clergy and laity differed from Catholicism and appealed to many people.
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