Reform and revolution in South America: a forum on Bolivia and Venezuela

Abstract

Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales represent something of a conundrum for the Left. The right-wing opposition has been so fierce, so deceitful, so excessive, and so powerful, the Left has often felt the need to unconditionally defend the governments, policies, and even personas of Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales. At times, this has been a necessary stance. Though significant gains have been made under the governments of Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales (in terms of poverty reduction, access to health care, education, etc.), there remains a considerable gap between rhetorical claims of ‘‘participatory democracy,’’ socialism, and noncapitalist development, in contrast to the reality of policies and practices that undermine the autonomous political mobilization, and/or economic interests, of popular sectors. Where does this leave the Left? From what Left-position, both intellectually and politically, does one launch a critique of Chavez, Morales, and their followers without joining a right-wing opposition that is nostalgic for neoliberalism and is using the rhetoric and practice of formal democracy? The following contributions provide a critical Left assessment of the ‘‘revolutionary’’ process under the Chavez and Morales governments. Many different topics are addressed, but collectively, the essays center on two sets of questions. First, and most basically, how have popular groups, including indigenous peoples, peasants, workers, women, and others who have been historically marginalized and disenfranchised, benefitted from the rise of ‘‘revolutionary’’ governments in Bolivia and Venezuela? What have these governments promised? What have they delivered? Where have they fallen short? Second, what is the relationship between the state and popular political and cultural mobilization and expression? What has