La cultura del privilegio y la igualdad de derechos: antípodas por resolver en las democracias latinoamericanas

The trust in social interactions and democratic institutions in Latin America is weakened by the persistence of privileges concentrated in a few hands that perpetuate class gaps in access to assets, cultural and social capital, appropriation of natural resources, special influence in institutions, and low fiscal commitment, among others. Such gaps are reproduced through generations and rooted in a culture of privileges that has naturalized these asymmetries, and today is strongly contested by growing awareness regarding social rights, mainly expressed in access to social benefits, working and employment conditions, acceptable levels of welfare, and political voice. Such rights are far from being achieved, with a persistent gap between the de jure and de facto. Fiscal efforts and more proactive social policies have to face such a culture of privileges that perpetuate inequalities nurtured by class inbreeding and social networks.