Bridging the gap: A Comparative Analysis of state capture in Bulgaria and Guatemala

This comparative study investigates the strikingly similar political dynamics operating within the distinctly different contexts of Bulgaria and Guatemala. It focuses on three key aspects: the role of the Prosecutor General, the patterns of social mobilization, and the influence of international actors. Despite the diverse backgrounds of these two hybrid regimes, this analysis uncovers parallel mechanisms at play in their political landscapes. Central to our inquiry is the role of the Prosecutor General in both countries. The study reveals how, in both Bulgaria and Guatemala, this ostensibly impartial institution is similarly leveraged by political elites to influence key political events. This aspect of the research highlights a commonality in the instrumental use of such institutions across different political and cultural contexts to achieve similar ends. Furthermore, the resurgence of social mobilization in both nations, following periods of limited civil society activity, presents another parallel. This paper probes into how, in both contexts, social movements and political opposition have re-emerged, interacting in similar ways with political leadership and exploiting the available opportunity structures. The analysis aims to understand the triggers and impacts of these dynamics, drawing parallels between the two countries despite their distinct historical and institutional frameworks. The role of international actors is also a crucial component of this comparative study. It examines how external influences, albeit in different forms and intensities, play a similar role in shaping political decision-making and political narratives in both Bulgaria and Guatemala. By juxtaposing the political scenarios of Bulgaria and Guatemala, this study not only highlights the unique characteristics of each but also, more importantly, draws attention to the similarities in political maneuvering, social mobilization, and international influence in these varied contexts. The findings offer insights into the broader phenomena of hybrid regimes.