The Emergence of the Leftist Governments in Latin America

IVAN SCHULIAQUER

Nueva Orleans

Exposición; Introduction to Latin American Studies; 2014

From which contextdid the leftist governments emerge? Should they be considered Leftistgovernments? Which are the characteristics and particularities that distinguishthem? After social, political and economical crises arose from neoliberalreforms sponsored by the IMF and the World Bank. They appeared in differentinstitutional conditions, but they?re all democratically elected under free andfair elections. The particularities of the new South American left are 1) thestate plays a central role as a redistributor. Subsidies for the poorest, taxreforms, renationalization of natural resources. 2) Inequality is not seen assomething natural and good for the competition. 3) They reject the policies ofthe IMF and the WB and they make a regional alliance under the leadership ofBrazil. End of the automatic alignment with the US.