It seems that the political environment in the United States is becoming more and more Latin American, with Donald Trump’s rise to power akin to the entrenchment of caudillismo in the U.S. However, compared to Brazil, the U.S. political system seems to be more lenient, with a higher tolerance for strongman politics. Brazil’s political system is able to hold former leaders accountable, which is due to its deep democratic tradition and strong civic consciousness. Meanwhile, the United States seems to need a period of democratic crisis to awaken the public’s appreciation for democracy.
Read from: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/tale-two-caudillos