Although, for a time, Ecuador was able to operate as a democracy, this quickly ended when three successive presidents were thrown out of office due to unrest. Today, Ecuador lies in the hands of current president Rafael Correa. While Correa, who was educated in Economics in the United States, has emphasized his commitment to democracy, some have argued that he is simply another Hugo Chavez, trying to gain power for himself and establish a dictatorship. Other factors that cause some to worry about Correa's intentions are his revision of the constitution, his defaulting on international loans, and his clashes with the United States. Still, some would say that the people in Ecuador, the ordinary citizens, will be what eventually bring the country to democracy. Clearly through their protests, radio stations, and other agents of democracy, the Ecuadorian people are politically aware. When the citizens become organized, perhaps democracy will take root. Thus, what role Ecuador plays in Latin America and the rest of the international realm in the future depends upon a great many variables. If the country does maintain a stable democracy, it will be a model for other Latin American states, showing how they too can overcome adversity. If Ecuador does not manage to become a strong democracy, scholars must reconsider whether democracy is the best course for the region.

Bibliography

BBC. "Profile: Ecuador's Rafael Correa." Available from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6187364.stm. Internet; accessed 21 May 2009.

Iicd. "25 Years of Democracy in Ecuador Digitized." Available from http://www.iicd.org/articles/logon4d/25-years-of-democracy-in-ecuador-digitized/. Internet;...

"In Ecuador, a Vote for Democracy." Available
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1667386,00.html. Internet; accessed 21 May 2009.

Perdomo, Gabriela. "Exhausting Democracy in Ecuador." Available from http://www.angus-reid.com/analysis/view/28313/exhausting_democracy_in_ecuador. Internet; accessed 21 May 2009.

Sanderson, Kathryn B. "Ecuador: The Party System from 1963-2000." Available

http://www.janda.org/ICPP/ICPP2000/Countries/3-SouthAmerica/35-Ecuador/Ecuador63-00.htm; Internet; accessed 21 May 2009.

Tim Padgett, In Ecuador, a Vote for Democracy, 2 October, 2007, available http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1667386,00.html; Internet; accessed 21 May 2009.

ibid ibid ibid

Kathryn B. Sanderson, Ecuador: The Party System from 1963-2000, 2000, available http://www.janda.org/ICPP/ICPP2000/Countries/3-SouthAmerica/35-Ecuador/Ecuador63-00.htm; Internet; accessed 21 May 2009.

ibid ibid

BBC, Profile: Ecuador's Rafael Correa, 27 April 2009, available http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6187364.stm

Gabriela Perdomo, Exhausting Democracy in Ecuador, 21 September

2007, available http://www.angus-reid.com/analysis/view/28313/exhausting_democracy_in_ecuador; Internet; accessed 21 May 2009.

ibid ibid ibid

Sanderson, Ecuador

Podermo, Exhausting

BBC, Profile

iicd, 25 Years of Democracy in Ecuador Digitized, 22 January 2008, available http://www.iicd.org/articles/logon4d/25-years-of-democracy-in-ecuador-digitized/; Internet; accessed 21 May 2009