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ID: <

oai:doaj.org/article:586d51e7762749c7b56b3c16f4fca7ec

>

·

DOI: <

10.18352/erlacs.9799

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Towards a Political Economy of Weak Institutions and Strong Elites in Central America

Abstract

A common conclusion of studies on Central America’s democracies and political economy is that the weakness of institutions and the structure of elites are a main reason for the region’s problems. Recently, a set of studies have attested to scrutiny these elites in detail, feeding on their strategies and resources. The purpose of this article is to reflect upon what they studies can tell us about the question: what is strong when institutions are weak? I argue that in the Northern Triangle particularly the answer is elite networks and their command over and competition for control over four sets of resources: money, means of force, information, and ideas and ideologies, including religion. A systematic study of such networks and how they Interact with formal institutions may give us a more realistic view of the current state of Central American political economies. Summary: Towards a political economy of weak institutions and strong elites in Central America A common conclusion from studies on the political economy and Central American democracies is that weak institutions and the strength of elites are a fundamental reason for the problems of the region. Recent studies have tried to study these elites thoroughly, focusing on their strategies and resources. The purpose of this article is to reflect on what these studies can bring to the answer to the question: what is strong when institutions are weak? I maintain that in the Northern Triangle, in particular, the response is the elite networks and their control, as well as their competence for such control, of four categories of resources: money, means of coercion, information and ideas and ideologies, including religion. A systematic study of such networks and how they interact with formal institutions could provide us with a more realistic view of the current state of Central American political economies.

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