Final answer:
Both Uruguay and Paraguay have faced historical political instability, with economics playing a big role in their governance challenges, which they've been striving to overcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
A shared characteristic of politics in Uruguay and Paraguay is that both countries have experienced tumultuous political histories marked by periods of instability, including governance challenges and shifts in power. The political environments in these countries, like many in Latin America, have suffered from fluctuations influenced by economics and, at times, corruption, authoritarianism, and human rights issues. In their journeys towards developing stable governance, both Uruguay and Paraguay have had to overcome obstacles such as demands for autonomy, threats from neighboring powers, and internal strife. Despite these challenges, Uruguay has become more urbanized and is considered an attractive tourism destination, while Paraguay remains mainly rural and is considered one of the poorer nations in South America.