The Impact of Internal Democracy on Legislative Voting Freedom in Latin America

In recent decades, the phenomenon of internal democracy has emerged as a central focus in the study of political parties. The internal decision-making processes within parties often spark conflicts that shape and strain spaces for political participation. These disputes frequently extend into the electoral arena, leading to the formation of new parties or influencing distinct legislative behaviors. However, the relationship between internal democracy and legislative dynamics remains an underexplored area in scholarly literature. This research aims to analyze the perceptions of Latin American legislative elites regarding voting discipline, examining how dimensions such as centralization, independence, leadership, permeability, and pluralism within party democracy influence legislative behavior. Drawing on data from the Latin American Elites Project (PELA-USAL), this study offers a novel perspective on the interplay between internal party democracy and parliamentary voting patterns.