THE RISE OF THE NEW LEFT: WHAT?

READING Smith, Democracy, ch. 12 Cleary, “The Rise of the Left” (Course Reader #4) Modern Latin America, ch. 8 (Venezuela)

FINAL EXAM Friday, June p.m. (sorry!) Cumulative: entire quarter Study Guide next week

THE PULSE OF POLITICAL CHANGE The Nineties: –Elected governments –Washington Consensus, free trade, and FTAs with U.S. –Weak states –Illiberal regimes –Result: timid democracies The New Century: –Popular disenchantment, especially over inequality –Rejection of Washington Consensus –Restoration of state role –Inclusive politics (in part) –Result: the new left (aka “pink tide”)

RECENT TRENDS IN LATIN AMERICA Surge of leftist movements Left = social justice, Right = individual freedom Electoral victories, despite institutional obstacles Result: democracy as a protective shield

9/11, THE WAR ON TERROR, AND RULES OF THE GAME 1.Nations can respond however they choose—including the use of indiscriminate force. 2.Preventive action is appropriate and acceptable. 3.There is no need to adhere to international treaties or conventions. 4.Alliances are formed around one central issue—the anti-terror campaign. Democracy and human rights are secondary issues. 5.Spectator nations must tread cautiously.

THE PINK TIDE: ORIGINS Economic—lack of growth (through 2003), poverty and inequality, frustration with Washington Consensus Political—weakness of representative institutions, inattention to poor, persistence of corruption International—war in Iraq, opposition to Bush policies and growing distaste for American society

THE PINK TIDE: MEMBERSHIP Venezuela: Hugo Chávez (1998, 2004, 2006) Brazil: Lula (2002, 2006), Dilma Rousseff (2010) Argentina: Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández (2003, 2007) Bolivia: Evo Morales (2005, 2009) Nicaragua: Daniel Ortega (2006) Ecuador: Rafael Correa (2006, 2010) Paraguay: Fernando Lugo (2008) El Salvador: Mauricio Funes (2009) Uruguay: José Mújica (2009) Near-Misses: Peru: Ollanta Humala (2006) Mexico: Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2006)

CLARIFICATIONS #1 Differentiation: right/center/left Contending leaders in/for Latin America: –Mexico (Vicente Fox, Felipe Calderón?) –Brazil (Lula, Dilma Rousseff?) –Venezuela (Hugo Chávez)

CLARIFICATIONS #2 Disenchanted masses in Latin America ≠ Voters for pink tide candidates ≠ Leftist candidates for office ≠ Leftist winners of presidential elections ≠ Pro-Chávez chief executives ≠ Hugo Chávez Notes: –Tidal swell is spontaneous, not organized –Rivalries and defections

THE PINK TIDE: GOALS Domestic—winning power, rearranging electoral alignments; overturning status quo, possibly through institutional reform; changing policy direction Hemispheric—gaining support throughout Latin America (invoking “Bolivarian dream”), reducing U.S. hegemony Global—challenging international order, forging alliances with developing world and non-aligned nations

RISE OF HUGO CHÁVEZ 1989: Caracazo 1992: Failed military coup (amnesty 1994) 1998: Wins presidential election 1999: Installs new constitution 2002: Survives attempted coup 2004: Attains support in referendum 2006: Wins second presidential term 2007: Declines renewal of RCTV license 2007: Constitutional referendum fails 2008: Oil climbs to >$100 per barrel 2008: Referendum succeeds

GWB AND LATIN AMERICA 1.Lack of high-level attention 2.Abandonment of negotiations with Mexico for immigration reform 3.Overriding concern with support for anti-terrorist campaign (not democracy) 4.Politicization of drug war 5.Awaiting Fidel’s demise 6.Opposition to Chávez and the Pink Tide

THE PROBLEM WITH HUGO Uses language of the street (including the Arab street)—e.g., the “devil” speech Sits atop petroleum (now >$100 per barrel) Puts money where his mouth is Breaks established rules of the game Plays off resentment of Bush, U.S. power Challenges Washington Consensus and FTAA Goes for high stakes Seeks rearrangement of prevailing world order

JORGE AND HUGO: THE ODD COUPLE George’s “gifts” to Hugo: –discourse on democracy (e.g., Second Inaugural) –caricature of “ugly American” –unpopularity of foreign policies –inattention to Latin America And Hugo’s reciprocation: –exaggerated rhetoric –potential threats to neighboring countries –authoritarian tendencies Q1: What does Hugo do without George? Q2: What about the price of oil?

CHALLENGING AMERICAN MYTHS The Cherished Assumption—freely elected leaders will support U.S. policy The Western Hemisphere idea—the new world is distinct from old, will forge common front in international arena Democracy rationale for “regime change”—free elections as protective shield The hegemonic presumption—the United States can dictate political life in Latin America

VISIONS FOR LATIN AMERICA: GWB AND USA Democratic—with tilt to right or center-right Prosperous—with commitment to free-market policies and ties to United States Unified—under U.S. leadership Peaceful—in view of unanimity Deferential—following U.S. lead in global arena

REALITY CHECK Democracy = broad ideological spectrum, from “left” to “right” Prosperity = mixed economies; rejection of Washington Consensus, FTAs, and FTAA Ideology = diversity rather than unity Outlooks = anti-U.S. attitudes strong and growing among large share of population Alliances = rejection of U.S. leadership and rules of the game