Globalization and the Left in Latin America

Abstract

This paper explores the hypothesis that the contradiction between democratization and globalization strengthens the revolutionary left in Latin America. Relying heavily on a critical analysis of the literature on globalization, democratization, and the left in Latin America, the study employs illustrative historical examples to provide preliminary support for the hypothesis. This paper discusses whether or not globalization leads to cross-national convergence of macroeconomic policies, it also manifests the impact of globalization on the cleavage structure of domestic politics. Therefore, the paper contributes to better understand the complexities of globalization and the matrix of opportunities and constrains within which the left operates in Latin America. The paper concludes that these concomitant processes of globalization and democratization have polarized the left, weakened the reformers and strengthened the radicals.