Notes on neo-Liberalism and XXIth century Socialism in Latin America (1980-2015)

Abstract

Neoliberalism is an economic model that seeks to reshape society with the market at its core. It first emerged in 1973 in Chile and later spread to other Latin American countries, where it replaced the development model and prevented the socialist alternative. Neoliberalism was imposed rather than chosen democratically, as exemplified by the coup d'état in Chile. Throughout its implementation, it utilized liberal democracy as a means to achieve its goals. Despite more than two decades in practice, neoliberalism proved unsuccessful but did not disappear entirely. As a response to neoliberalism, social protests arose, and new democratic governments emerged in countries like Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Ecuador. These governments sought to create a more humane and socially-oriented state. This political experiment was referred to as "21st-century socialism" by Hugo Chávez. Among these leaders, Rafael Correa stood out as the only one who provided a theoretical framework for this form of socialism through his lectures, arguments, and interviews. This essay analyzes, systematizes, and explains these ideas. The conclusion drawn is that "21st-century socialism" shares similarities with traditional socialism, but it also exhibits significant differences. This analysis is rooted in the ideas of various authors and, subsequently, incorporates Correa's contributions as conveyed in various media sources.