Left Governments and Social Movements in Latin America

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Larrabure
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Party System ◽  
New Left ◽  
Hierarchical Structures ◽  
Capitalist State ◽  
Traditional Structures ◽  
New Social Movement ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between social movements and left governments in Latin America since the postwar period has evolved from top-down relationships of populism and vanguardism to more contemporary attempts to blend new social movement practices of horizontalism and direct democracy with the hierarchical structures of the capitalist state and the party system. This evolution represents a long and unfinished transformation in the character of popular struggles, which today stands at the crossroads between referring back to more traditional structures of resistance, and pushing forward to the creation of a new left that can feature radical democratic participation from below as its centerpiece.

Evangelicals and Emergent Moral Protest

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Gahr ◽  
Michael Young
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
New Left ◽  
Christian Faith ◽  
History Of ◽  
Evangelical Protestants ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
New Social Movement

This article provides a comparative analysis of two religiously inspired protests that fed broader social movements: the "rebellion" of immediate abolitionists at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati in 1834 and the new-left "breakthrough" at the Christian Faith-and-Life Community in Austin in 1960. The two cases are examples of moral protests breaking out of Protestant institutions and shaping social movements. From the comparison, we draw general lessons about the meso- and micro-level processes of activist conversions. We show how processes of "rationalization" and "subjectivation" combined in the emergence of new contentious moral orders. We apply these lessons to help explain the creative interactions of evangelical Protestants in the history of American moral protest. Our approach accords with pragmatist and new social movement theories of emergent moral orders.

Turning the tide: a role for social movements

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryn Jones ◽  
Mike O’Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Social Movement ◽  
Social Transformation ◽  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Change Agents ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Democratic Tradition ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter continues the book’s focus on social justice and change agents by identifying these concerns in the evolution of social movements. The authors argue that, in addition to making explicit criticisms of neoliberalism, social movement campaigners and their networks could also play similar roles to those previously taken by labour movement organisations as advocates and facilitators of classical social democracy. Their emphasis on more direct democracy in socio-economic governance might stimulate a revival of this recently neglected element in the social democratic tradition. In this respect the relationship between prominent social movement activists and progressive parties is likely to be crucial in future years. In particular movement activists may need to determine whether they can achieve a strong relationship between the progressive forces of civil society and a Labour Party potentially revitalized in its egalitarian and democratic vision. The key challenge is to channel the energy and idealism of civil society groups into more far-reaching political and social transformation.

Bringing What State Back In? Neo-Marxism and the Origin of the Committee on States and Social Structures

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 714-726
Author(s):  
Rafael Khachaturian
Keyword(s):  
New Left ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
The State ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Political Concept ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of ◽  
Capitalist State ◽  
The Relationship

This article examines the interdisciplinary movement to “bring the state back in,” advanced during the 1980s by the Committee on States and Social Structures. Drawing on the Committee’s archives at the Social Science Research Council, I show that its influential neo-Weberian conception of the state was developed in dialogue with earlier neo-Marxist debates about the capitalist state. However, its interpretation of neo-Marxism as a class reductive and functionalist variant of “grand theory” also created a narrative that marginalized the latter’s contributions to the literature on the state. This displacement had lasting consequences, for while neo-Marxist approaches had provided a critical perspective on the relationship between the social sciences and the state, the Committee’s narrative had a depoliticizing effect on this subject matter. Reconstructing this moment both recovers the forgotten influence of the New Left and neo-Marxist scholarship on postwar political science and sociology, and elaborates on the contested history of the state as a political concept.

Representation By Consultation? The Rise of Direct Democracy in Latin America

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 37-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Barczak
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Party System ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
The United States ◽  
Constitutional Reform ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Political Interests ◽  
National Comparison ◽  
Cross National

AbstractMost of the countries of South America experienced two notable institutional phenomena during the 1990s: the reform or rewriting of constitutions and the emergence of direct democracy mechanisms. This paper examines the latter process through a cross-national comparison. The introduction of direct democracy mechanisms is typically driven by traditionally excluded political interests. It takes two forms, both involving the failure of representative democratic institutions. In most cases, these traditionally excluded interests win control over the constitutional reform and rewriting process, although this is not a necessary condition for the emergence of direct democracy. Drawing illustrations from 12 cases of constitutional reform, this paper links arguments about direct democracy in the United States and Western Europe, institutional change, neopopulism, and the decline of the party system in Latin America.

Democracy without Parties? Some Lessons from Peru

2010 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN CRABTREE
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Political Culture ◽  
Party System ◽  
Important Case ◽  
Party Development ◽  
State And Society ◽  
Key Issues

AbstractThirty years on from Peru's return to democracy in 1980, the country's record with democratisation has been chequered. Not only was the process of ‘consolidation’ reversed in the 1990s under the Fujimori government, but the degree to which durable linkages have been established between state and society is very limited. More than in most countries of Latin America, the party system has failed to fulfil the representative role allotted to it in the literature, a role that cannot easily be assumed by other sorts of institution. It is therefore an important case study for those concerned with the more structural obstacles to the development of representative politics. The article seeks to look at some key issues affecting party development: the chimera of consolidation, the persistence of clientelism and patrimonialism, the interaction with social movements and the significance of political culture.

scholarly journals Contexto sociopolítico brasileiro da advocacia e das práticas de insurgência

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Luiz Otávio Ribas
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Recent Period ◽  
Sociopolitical Context ◽  
Popular Movements ◽  
Law And Social Movements ◽  
The Relationship

Para uma sociologia da insurgência, envolve-se o contexto sociopolítico da advocacia para compreender como as práticas de insurgência modificam o Direito. O protagonismo dos movimentos populares na América Latina pode ser mais bem estudado com a aproximação aos advogados populares envolvidos na defesa de suas causas. Esta agenda de pesquisa serve para a reflexão sobre a relação entre direito e movimentos sociais e a ação junto a esses atores em um contexto de insurgência e contrainsurgência, próprio do período recente do contexto brasileiro. A advocacia popular é estudada com base em entrevistas e pesquisa em acervo profissional dos advogados, como uma possibilidade de atuação em apoio às práticas de insurgência.  Brazilian sociopolitical context of advocacy and insurgent practices The sociopolitical context of advocacy is involved to understand how insurgency practices modify law, for a sociology of insurgency. The protagonism of popular movements in Latin America can be better studied by approaching popular advocates involved in the defense of their causes. This research agenda serves to reflect on the relationship between law and social movements, the action of these actors in a context of insurgency and counterinsurgency, typical of the recent period of the Brazilian context. The popular advocacy is studied based on interviews and research in the professional documents of lawyers, as a possibility to act in support of insurgency practices. 

scholarly journals Educar para libertar: Las propuestas educacionales de los Sem-Terra en Brasil en la década de 1990

2018 ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Clécio Ferreira Mendes
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Educational Reforms ◽  
Educational Project ◽  
Educational Ideology ◽  
America Latina ◽  
Autonomous Schools ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Movimientos Sociales

ResumenEl análisis de la ideología educacional del Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra (MST) en Brasil, en la década del noventa, y de su proyecto pedagógico en las escuelas autónomas de sus asentamientos, abre la posibilidad de comprender los fundamentos que orientan la relación entre Educación y Movimientos Sociales. La documentación histórica y educacional del MST utilizada para este estudio está localizada en el Centro de Documentación e Memoria (CEDEM) de la UNESP. Entre los documentos utilizados más importantes están: la Série Formação, Cadernos de Educação, Boletins Educacionais y las colecciones Fazendo História, Fazendo Escola y Pra Soletrar a Liberdade. El artículo presenta un breve resumen histórico de las reformas educacionales en América Latina que influenciaron directamente la educación oficial brasileña en los noventa. Es en ese contexto que se desarrolla el proyecto educacional del MST al cual el trabajo pone su atención.Palabras clave: educación, movimientos sociales, Sem-Terra, Brasil.Education for freedom: Educational proposals by the Sem-Terra in Brazil in the 1990sAbstractThe analysis of the educational ideology of the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra (MST) in Brazil in the Nineties and its pedagogical project at autonomous schools of its settlements, gives us the possibility of understanding the foundations guiding the relationship between Education and Social Movements. The historical and educational documentation of the MST used for this study is located in the UNESP Documentation and Memory Center (CEDEM). Among the most important documents used are: Série Formação, Cadernos de Educação, Boletins Educacionais and the Fazendo História, Fazendo Escola and Pra Soletrar a Liberdade collections. The article presents a brief historical summary of the educational reforms in Latin America that directly influenced Brazilian official education in the Nineties. In this context, the educational project of the MST is developed, which is the focus of this work.Keywords: Education, social movements, Sem-terra, Brazil.Educar para libertar: As propostas educacionais dos Sem-Terra no Brasil na década de 1990ResumoA análise da ideologia educacional do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra (MST) no Brasil, na década de noventa, e de seu projeto pedagógico nas escolas autônomas de seus assentamentos, abre a possibilidade de compreender os fundamentos que orientam a relação entre Educação e Movimentos Sociais. A documentação histórica e educacional do MST utilizada para este estudo está localizada no Centro de Documentação e Memória (CEDEM) da UNESP. Entre os documentos mais importantes utilizados estão: a Série Formação, Cadernos de Educação, Boletins Educacionais e as coleções Fazendo História, Fazendo Escola e Pra Soletrar a Liberdade. O artigo a presentaum breve resumo histórico das reformas educacionais na América Latina que influenciaram diretamente a educação oficial brasileira nos anos noventa. Én esse contexto que se desenvolve o projeto educacional do MST ao qual o trabalho põe sua atenção.Palavras-chave: educação, movimentos sociais, Sem-terra, Brasil

Wenn stadtpolitische Bewegungen das Terrain des Staats betreten

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (191) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Diesselhorst
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
City Government ◽  
Housing Policies ◽  
Hierarchical Decision Making ◽  
Urban Social Movements ◽  
State Apparatus ◽  
Hierarchical Decision ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

This article discusses the struggles of urban social movements for a de-neoliberalisation of housing policies in Poulantzian terms as a “condensation of the relationship of forces”. Drawing on an empirical analysis of the “Berliner Mietenvolksentscheid” (Berlin rent referendum), which was partially successful in forcing the city government of Berlin to adopt a more progressive housing policy, the article argues that urban social movements have the capacity to challenge neoliberal housing regimes. However, the specific materiality of the state apparatus and its strategic selectivity both limit the scope of intervention for social movements aiming at empowerment and non-hierarchical decision-making.

Kämpfe um Bergbau und die Möglichkeiten demokratischer Transformation

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (189) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Dietz
Keyword(s):  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The Political ◽  
Liberal Democratic ◽  
Political Effects ◽  
Mining Project ◽  
National Governments ◽  
The Relationship

The article explores the political effects of popular consultations as a means of direct democracy in struggles over mining. Building on concepts from participatory and materialist democracy theory, it shows the transformative potentials of processes of direct democracy towards democratization and emancipation under, and beyond, capitalist and liberal democratic conditions. Empirically the analysis is based on a case study on the protests against the La Colosa gold mining project in Colombia. The analysis reveals that although processes of direct democracy in conflicts over mining cannot transform existing class inequalities and social power relations fundamentally, they can nevertheless alter elements thereof. These are for example the relationship between local and national governments, changes of the political agenda of mining and the opening of new spaces for political participation, where previously there were none. It is here where it’s emancipatory potential can be found.

Violence, Social Movements, and Black Freedom Struggles

Contention ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
AK Thompson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Social Movements ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Today ◽  
Black Freedom ◽  
Current Events ◽  
Research Agendas ◽  
Ambivalent Relationship ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Freedom Struggles

George Floyd’s murder by police on 26 May 2020 set off a cycle of struggle that was notable for its size, intensity, and rate of diffusion. Starting in Minneapolis, the uprising quickly spread to dozens of other major cities and brought with it a repertoire that included riots, arson, and looting. In many places, these tactics coexisted with more familiar actions like public assemblies and mass marches; however, the inflection these tactics gave to the cycle of contention is not easily reconciled with the protest repertoire most frequently mobilized during movement campaigns in the United States today. This discrepancy has led to extensive commentary by scholars and movement participants, who have often weighed in by considering the moral and strategic efficacy of the chosen tactics. Such considerations should not be discounted. Nevertheless, I argue that both the dynamics of contention witnessed during the uprising and their ambivalent relationship to the established protest repertoire must first be understood in historical terms. By considering the relationship between violence, social movements, and Black freedom struggles in this way, I argue that scholars can develop a better understanding of current events while anticipating how the dynamics of contention are likely to develop going forward. Being attentive to these dynamics should in turn inform our research agendas, and it is with this aim in mind that I offer the following ten theses.

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