Left-wing radicalism in Latin America

M53585

“Alliance for progress” is a programme announced by the US President John Kennedy on the 13^th of March 1961aimed at helping Latin America. It was officially adopted on the 17^th of August 1961 during the Inter-American Economic Conference in the Uruguayan town Punta del Este. It was the largest socio-economic programme in the Western Hemisphere in contemporary history. 19 countries of Latin America (except Cuba) took part at it. For realization of this programme the USA promissed to allocate 20 billion dollars (10 billion out of it –in the form of state credits, and the rest 10 billion – by means of private capital). Latin America pledged to allocate 80 billion dollars from private finance.

The result of the programme was a failure. The consequences of this failure are current situation of relationship between the USA and Latin America.  The problem of poverty, unsolved land problem, absence of the middle class, and a great influence of left-wing radical movements – are those things Latin America suffered from in the 50-s of the XX^th centuary. 

 Such left-wing leaders as Hugo Chavez, Evo Morales, Daniel Ortega, and Fernando Lugo make steps in home policy of their countries that are very similar to those of Jacobo Árbenz in Guatemala during the first half of the 50-s – these are nationalization of land and industry and in foreign policy – a course against influence of the United States on Latin America.   

Failure of the programme of the “Alliance” in Colombia (to be exactly – one of its parts – “Plan Lazo”) led to aggravation of home-policy situation in this country and establishment of a left-wing radical organization FARC (The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia).  Just from this time onwards there are recurrent civil wars in the country which can be developed into more serious conflicts involving several states as it was at the beginning of March 2008 (the well-known conflict of Colombia with Ecuador and Venezuela).

Left-wing radical movements are still reality in many Latin American countries where Leninism, Trotskyism and Maoism link generations in their antagonism to liberal democracy. 

In their brand new monograph G.Kolarov and V. Usov provide robust analysis of the Latin American Left doctrines, their social roots, theoretical foundations, and impact on the balance of political forces of the whole region.

The book is highly recommended for graduate students and anyone interested in the history and culture of Latin America.

Order now at MIPP International.