This lecture provides an overview of democratic crisis in South America, focusing on stresses, and examining emerging issues in contemporary context. An empirical mapping of democracy in the ten countries of South America is provided with references to collapse of democracy in Venezuela, partial freedom in Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador, and democratic strengthening in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Case studies include the tale of two presidents in Venezuela, political clashes around impeachments in Peru, Paraguay, and Brazil, and disputes around reelections in Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. Theoretical discussion includes ten points for debate (1) Michael Reid’s provocation that Latin America is a ‘forgotten continent’; (2) Roberto Gargarella’s metaphor of the problem of the ‘engine room of the constitution’ based on a previous insight from Carlos Santiago Nino related to ‘hyper presidentialism’ in South America; (3) Sergio Abranches’ critique of ‘Presidentialism of Coalition’; (4) Concrete risks of presidential impeachment; (5) role of Supreme Court in power dynamics; (6) role of electoral courts; (7) democratic organization of political parties; (8) antagonism related to political polarization; (9) institutional weakness and state building; (10) role and functions of constitutions.