Revista Gobierno y Sociedad

Palabras del Director

Narciso J. Arellano Moreno — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Acephalia regime in the Argentine Republic

Gustavo Alejandro Vivo — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This article addresses the problem of succession in the ownership of the executive branch in the Argentine constitutional order. He recognizes that every power vacuum generates a puncture to be filled. The argentinian legal system regulates the issue through different laws that share having been enacted in moments of deep drama, but that suppose different responses to the problem. The article examines both the constitutional bases and the different legislative responses, as well as the jurisprudence originated around the subject. In conclusion, the author proposes regulatory alternatives to the current situation.

The crisis and challenges of Modern Democracy: conceptual assessments

Constantino Riquelme Ortiz — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

To contextualize the periods of democratic crisis and their challenges that are present is not an easy task. The current periods of uncertainty and chaos in the international political society, emphasize the discontent of citizens, as a fundamental part of society, towards the deconstruction of democracy. It is worthy to strengthen it by reinforcing a democratic culture with resilience and the capacity to adapt to adapt to emerging changes. There is no such thing as a perfect democracy; it has been built along history, through great generational struggles. It is important to remember that the cure for it must emerge from its own bases. As democrats, we must influence on its strengthening and reinforcement. Only in this way will we achieve a fairer and more progressive society in the times to come.

Political campaigns in electoral processes before the irruption of digital media in Panama (2004-2014)

Ramón Humberto Benjamín Miranda, Kemy Loo Pinzón — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This article presents the regulatory framework on electoral propaganda and the political events that occurred during the political campaigns of the 2004, 2009, and 2014 elections, considered as a relevant background to the regulations on the use of digital media for political campaigns in electoral processes, introduced for the 2019 elections.

Proportional Representation in Panama (1925-1928)

Salvador Sánchez — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The article examines the introduction of the proportional representation (PR) system in Panama during the first quarter of the twentieth century, specifically the transition from the minority representation formula (incomplete list) to the PR system between 1925 and 1926. It is documented that the proposal incorporated elements of the natural Hare quotient with mechanisms for allocating remains, designed to more faithfully reflect the correlation of political forces. However, the legislation applied in the legislative elections of 1928 presented significant distortions. The article collects the voices of several of the main promoters of the changes, such as Eusebio A. Morales or Guillermo Andreve, which provides clues about the motivations of the electoral reform.

Demilitarization, security, and democracy in Panama

Zoltan Barany — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Demilitarization always occurs as a result of critical historical junctures. Panama is one of only two states in the post-World War II era, however, that – having experienced such a formative moment – abolished its military and stood by that decision. The luster of this extraordinary achievement may have faded in past decades, but it should not have. This article makes four arguments: (1) Panama had a more difficult task in eliminating its military than Costa Rica; (2) it has also faced more trying security challenges than its neighbor to the north; (3) despite some setbacks and problems, it has managed the obstacles posed by its unique environment well; and (4) Panamanians enjoy the benefits and strongly support their country’s demilitarized status.