Democratization and contentious politics: analytical perspectives of networks in Brazil and Argentina (1978-1984)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss the usefulness of network analysis theory as an analytical perspective for the study of democratization processes. The emphasis is on how social movements, political parties and other relevant governmental actors interact in social networks of trust or conflict. The text provides theoretical insights about the effects of “structural holes” within networks for cultural and political innovation processes. To this end, the article makes a brief foray into the recent history of Brazil and Argentina as examples of democratization processes on which social movements had considerable causal effects. In these countries trust networks relied on structural holes, where the presence of social movements and supporting sectors facilitated cultural innovation processes and the construction of new political identities.