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Email a friendRebellion in the US 'backyard'
WRITTEN to accompany John Pilger's documentary The War on Democracy, this publication gives an overview of continued US intervention in its "backyard" since the 1800s, providing the context to understand the "revolt at the ballot box" in Latin America in recent years.
The numerous examples given of US undermining progressive governments, such as the government of Allende in Chile in the 1970s, should also make us aware of the origins of much of the international "media war" against Venezuela today.
Speaking of the changes taking place in Latin America, Richard Gott points out both the similarities and differences in the countries that make up the "progressive tide," namely Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and now Ecuador and Nicaragua.
"Clearly," he writes, "this is not a homogenous left" as "their programmes and political processes are specific to each country."
However, the similarity lies in the reasons behind these changes, specifically that "the social movements that lie behind the election victories of individual presidents - and are also powerful in countries that have not yet changed direction at the top - represent a striking new development" with "new political players emerging."
With the launch of the Bank of the South as an alternative to the IMF and World Bank, these progressive forces, through the governments that these movements propelled to power, are now building their own institutions of regional integration, with an emphasis on social development.
Throughout, it is welcome that Gott recognises that there is much that we can learn from these progressive developments.
Full of useful examples and information, this is recommended as an introduction to the changes taking place in Latin America today.
This booklet is available for £4 including p&p from Venezuela Information Centre. Please makes cheques payable to the "Venezuela Information Centre" and send to PO Box 56210, London, United Kingdom, N4 4XH.
MATTHEW WILLGRESS