South America

THE LEFT IN SOUTH AMERICA can be described in two ways. First, it is an ideal that has been pursued by many political groups in the history of Latin America, [Page 412]according to several programs: anti-colonialism, independence, revolution and democracy. Second it is a form of reaction to the right, which has frustrated the aspirations of the left and posed continuous challenges by turning to colonialism, caudillismo, authoritarianism, militarism, and other forms of political power. Despite these two common elements, the left in South America cannot be understood as a block, since there are particularities to be accounted for. Therefore, we will use Latin America in reference to the Iberian American context in general, but also specify Central America in some cases, while concentrating on ...