In the days following Hugo Chavez’ reelection victory numerous news sources have analyzed politics in the region over the past year. Here is what some of them had to say: * Time magazine believed that politics in the region have entered a phase different from the typical “oligarchic capitalism and populist socialism” of the past. Deemed the “third way” it describes a moderate approach that strengthens democratic institutions and where ideas are valued over strict adherences to ideology.
* However, Tyler Bridges and Pablo Bachelet would disagree with Time’s assessment since they believe that two sides of the political left have emerged over the past year: a staunchly-anti neoliberal and anti-Washington stance and a moderate, “market-friendly” left epitomized by
* Chavez-brand of leftist populism has not taken a stranglehold across
* Foreign Policy’s blog wonders about how relations between Chavez and ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro will influence a possible “Chavista” revolution across the region.
* “The Latin American left…cannot hope to address poverty, inequality, economic underperformance, or social exclusion without reforming the state” opined a commentator at the Guardian
So what do you think? Are these articles relatively accurate or are they missing the point? Will the left in Latin America achieve similar success next year? Don't be shy; give us your opinion!
Links- Time, Guardian
Image- Radio
4 comments:
I think Latin Americans have come to realize that "free markets" and "globalization" are not necessarily a good thing in that it may not work as intended in their countries. In a sense, they are still trying to get it right. Fascism and totalitarianism didn't work, Communism didn't work either, neo-liberalism didn't work. So now they are trying something new in a very independent and refreshing way.
The left - either the "extreme" or more "moderate" version of it - has a lot to look forward to. The U.S. is too involved in other things, e.g., Iraq, Iran, North Korea, to get too involved right now. So, short of "strongly urging" locals not to vote for the left, there's not much more the U.S. will do about it.
It is a positive shift towards the left. Years of neo-liberal economic policies have been proved flawed for Latin America. Washington is loosing ground fast in their own backyard and I personally like that a lot. Even Colombia (where people seem to be hypnotized by the right - wing/conservative policies of president Uribe) saw the greatest surge of left-wing representation in recent congress elections. By 2010 we might even see a left leader coming to power in Colombia, something unthinkable given the FARC paradigm that dominates the political culture there. Positive news in my opinion.
..
absurd thought -
God of the Universe thinks
communism is SUPER
even though it never works
because we are not robots
absurd thought -
God of the Universe feels
communism is fair
fools can't or won't think it through
idiots just keep scheming
..
Post a Comment