Evan Ellis - Reflections on a Tipping Point Moment
Dear Colleagues:
I have spent much of my professional career warning of the dangers of authoritarian governments in China, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and elsewhere, and arguing about the importance of democratic process and structure, especially when people are polarized and frustrated with the performance of their own political system. For those of you who have followed my work and interacted with me these past years, I have increasingly felt the obligation to address, in a respectful, professional manner, the complicated moment my own country is living.
With this article, I share with you my deeply personal reflections about these difficult times, that reflect the challenges and dilemas of democracy, rule of law, and the protection of rights, whose defense is vital to us all. No country or people is immune from the imperfections of our human systems of government, and the frustrations with its performance and policies when we feel without voice, that those in control of the government are running it for some benefit other than our own. At the same time, no one is immune from the consequences when we fail to protect inconvenient universal principles such as the rule of law, protection of the individual, freedom of expression, and freedom from fear.
I have often discussed in my works the dangers when the temptation comes from an extra-regional authoritarian regime such as the PRC offering seemingly easy money without requirements of transparency and good governance. I have also discussed the danger when it comes from a populist such as Hugo Chavez, pitting one group against another, using resentments and frustration to mobilize trusting followers as a vehicle to bend institutions and consolidate personal power or benefit. Often when those who trust in the leader fully understand the cost, the system has been twisted in a way that makes restoring those freedoms, protections and rights incredibly difficult and painful.
Proud to share my monthly column in Opidata:
The English version is available for download here:
The Spanish version is available for download here:
The English version is also available on the website of Opidata, which published it:
https://legadoalasamericas.org/reflexiones-en-un-momento-de-inflexion/2/
The Spanish version is also available from the Opidata website:
https://legadoalasamericas.org/reflexiones-en-un-momento-de-inflexion/
Podcasts, Media Appearances, and Radio Shows:
I would like to share with you my latest podcasts, media appearance and radio shows. These include my podcast with the respected British organization Chatham House: "Independent Thinking: Is the US confronting China in Latin America?" with host Christopher Sabatini and fellow guests Yu Jie and Bruno Binetti; broadcast April 11, 2025: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/04/independent-thinking-us-confronting-china-latin-america
These also include my latest weekly segments on the John Batchelor Show, in his special ongoing series on Latin America, The New World Report.
The latest episodes (April 10, 2025) are:
CELAC: https://audioboom.com/posts/8703561-newworldreport-celac-and-tariffs-latin-american-research-professor-evan-ellis-u-s-army-war-co
Panama: https://audioboom.com/posts/8703560-newworldreport-panama-and-the-trump-administration-latin-american-research-professor-evan-ellis
Brazil: https://audioboom.com/posts/8703564-newworldreport-pursuing-bolsonaro-latin-american-research-professor-evan-ellis-u-s-army-war
Ecuador: https://audioboom.com/posts/8703563-newworldreport-ecuador-votes-sunday-13-april-latin-american-research-professor-evan-ellis-u
Website for all Publications:
As always, at my professional website you can access these, and past publications, webinars and podcasts:
REvanEllis.com
Latest Book on China-Latin America:
My latest book, China Engages Latin America: Distorting Development and Democracy, is available through my publisher Palgrave-Macmillan, at:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-96049-0
Please feel free to share this post with a friend or colleague. If you would like to be included in my (always free) distribution list, I welcome the opportunity to include you:
Thank you, as always, for your interest in my work.
Respectfully,
R. Evan Ellis, PhD
Latin America Research Professor
U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute
@REvanEllis
Website: https://revanellis.com