Latin America is one of the most consequential yet underserved regions in the global policy conversation.
With over 650 million people, the region sits at the intersection of urgent policy challenges — persistent inequality, democratic fragility, labor market informality, climate vulnerability and rapid demographic change — and of unique policy innovations that the rest of the world can learn from: conditional cash transfer programs, participatory budgeting, community health workers and experimental climate designs.
Drawing on the complementary expertise of its faculty, the Latin America Initiative advances cutting-edge research on the political economy, governance and social dynamics of Latin America, with a focus on producing policy-relevant insights that inform decision-makers in government, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.
Its work explores how states respond to complex challenges including fiscal and economic reform, organized crime and public security, inequality and social policy and democratic resilience. Through award-winning research, comparative analysis and engagement with regional stakeholders, the program seeks to identify practical strategies for strengthening institutions, improving public service delivery, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Beyond research, the program creates impact through policy dialogues, student mentorship and partnerships with institutions across the Americas. By translating scholarship into actionable insights, it contributes to more effective policymaking and fosters greater understanding of Latin America’s role in shaping hemispheric and global affairs.
Core Themes
- Democracy and Governance — Institutional strength, accountability, elections and democratic resilience
- Political Economy and Development — Fiscal policy, taxation, economic reform and inequality
- Social Policy and Inclusion — Education, poverty reduction and public service delivery
- U.S.–Latin America Relations — Diplomacy, trade, migration policy and strategic cooperation
- Regional and Global Geopolitics — Latin America’s evolving position in global economic and political systems
- Security and State Capacity — Organized crime, public safety, violence and governance responses
- Migration and Human Mobility — Migration systems, remittances, displacement and regional cooperation