The University of Sheffield
Department of Politics

Undergraduate Modules: POL225 - The New Politics of Latin America

Level: 2
Credits: 20
Module Leader: Dr Steve Ludlam

Description

Since the final years of the 20th century, a so-called 'pink tide' of centre-left presidents has entered office across Latin America, attracting widespread interest as they have attempted to overcome legacies of poverty and exclusion, in societies characterised by gross and worsening inequalities. This module analyses this new politics in the contexts of the general historical background; the neoliberal drive across the continent from the 1908s; and the parallel struggle to embed democratization in societies recovering from violent dictatorships and other 'authoritiarian' regimes. The module then considers the general content of the new politics. The forms of political struggle are considered, including the intervention of social and popular movements, the recasting of party systems, and the introduction of new constitutions. Also addressed are attempts to reform neoliberal structures, regain control of national resources, and, among other things, use these resources to underpin new welfare policies. The third feature of the new politics discussed is the new regionalism, which, beyond trade policy, has tended to adopt more overt egalitarian objectives and more critical stances towards the USA. The module then looks in more detail at four states in which the 'pink tide' has distinct origins and has followed distinct directions: Brazil, Bolivia, and Venezuela. Finally, the module reconsiders the political character of the new politics, and its relationship to social democracy and socialism.

Objectives

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Assessment