Keywords

Decentralization, Centralism, Governance, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina

Abstract

Centralized governance has predominantly characterized Latin America, with few countries adopting decentralized systems or federalism. This study explores why decentralization and federalism remain uncommon in the region, focusing on Ecuador’s persistent centralist traditions. Despite federalism being proposed as an alternative governance model, its adoption has been limited due to structural constraints and historical legacies. Ecuador’s centralized authority, rooted in its independence, has shaped institutional arrangements and political dynamics over time. Through a comparative analysis of the decentralization process and governance quality in Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina, the research argues that Ecuador’s ongoing centralist practices stem from historical path dependency. This study is useful because the current landscape in Ecuador and many countries in the southern cone has been advocating for decentralized measures.

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Conroy, Annabelle

College

College of Sciences

Department

School of Politics, Security, and International Affair

Thesis Discipline

Comparative Latin American Politics

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright