It was widely predicted that the end of the Cold War would lead to a prolonged period of US-friendly neo-liberal hegemony in Latin America. In fact, the left has re-emerged as a serious political actor. Today, leftist or 'progressive' political forces are in government in nine Latin American nations, and social movements continue to challenge neo-liberalism in several other countries.*BR**BR*This book is a comprehensive study of the wide variety of leftist governments, parties and movements in the region, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela.*BR**BR*It is essential for students of Latin American politics, political theory, social movements and international relations.

1. Hope Reborn: Introduction to the Study of the New Latin American LeftCésar Rodríguez-Garavito, Patrick Barrett, Daniel Chavez2. Brazil. Lula's Government: A Critical AppraisalFélix Sánchez, Joao Machado Borges Neto, Rosa Maria Marques3. Venezuela. Populism and the Left: Alternatives to Neo-liberalismEdgardo Lander4.Uruguay. The Left in Government: Between Continuity and ChangeDaniel Chavez5. Colombia. The New Left: Origins, Trajectory, and ProspectsCésar Rodríguez-Garavito6.Argentina. The Left, Parties and Movements: Strategies and ProspectsFederico L. Schuster7. Mexico. Yearnings and Utopias: The Left in the Third MillenniumArmando Bartra8. Bolivia. The Left and the Social MovementsLuis Tapia9. Promises and Challenges: The Latin American Left at the Start of the Twenty-first CenturyAtilio A. Boron10. Depolarised Pluralities: A Left with a FutureBoaventura de Sousa SantosBibliographyNotes on contributorsIndex