Abstract

LAWRENCE HABER, Paul. Contrasting Assessments of the Latin American Left. Perf. latinoam. [online]. 2011, vol.19, n.37, pp.139-154. ISSN 0188-7653.

The ability of the Latin American electoral left to make substantial progress on the social justice agenda while in office is much disputed. Two significant schools of thought are identified: one generally sympathetic and the other critical. This essay explores this argument with reference to Brazil, El Salvador, and Bolivia. At the heart of the debate is the relationship between social movements and political parties of the left. Should social movements collaborate with political parties of the left? While the critics raise important questions and concerns that are useful to illuminate the limitations of gradualism they do not present a viable strategy forward. The article concludes with the observation that the nature of this collaboration is a worthy subject of serious debate and reform proposals.

Keywords : contemporary Latin American left; social justice; political strategy; social movements; political parties.