Are all Latin American Left Wings the Same?

Are all Latin American Left Wings the Same? / Somos+, Kaned Garrido
Posted on September 11, 2015

Somos+, Kaned Garrido, 26 August 2015 — You may think that the answer is
"yes," that their speeches always speak of "socialism," of "the power of
the people," of the " rich and poor. " However, a study by the
University of the Andes in Colombia found some interesting differences.

It measured the relationship between a personalistic style of government
and the level of approval of the presidency in the region. Among other
things, the study found a crucial difference between the Latin American
left wings. Although their speeches sound the same to many, they are
actually very different.

Throughout the world, debates are waged over whether the state should
intervene more in the economy. There are socialists who say that the
root of all evil is the free market. Others believe that the problem is
too much intervention with the poor and the bureaucracy.

It is true that there are some who break this consensus. Latin American
presidents such as Maduro, Correa, Morales and Kirchner do not stop at
debate–they also create profound conflicts with the opposition. They
become argumentative and end up attacking institutions.

But this does not mean that the entire Latin American left is this way.
The biggest moral blow to these authoritarian presidents is not from the
right, but rather from the democratic left, itself.

This tends to draw attention to the least favored. It encourages the
seeking of equality among persons, and greater sensitivity towards the
environment. Meanwhile, the right reminds us that idealism is not enough
to construct the future. An understanding of market logic and of the
nature of the modern economy are necessary.

Today we have all kinds of combinations and we cannot divide them
drastically. There are leaders of the left who are conscious of market
logic, and leaders of the right with very responsible social and
environmental policies.

There is no need to view these differences as a conflict, as a human
defect, but rather as a debate that enriches our decision-making. The
only flags that should not be lowered are those of freedom of expression
and the opportunity to participate equitably. And not all Latin American
left wings deny them.

The governments of Uruguay and Venezuela could be viewed as comparable
because of their popularity and appeal. However, ex-President Mujica
handled democratic institutionality quite differently. A libertarian
such as Gloria Álvarez can discuss her proposed reforms to the justice
system and communication media, but it is undeniable that the Uruguayan
ex-president did not attack democracy as did the Venezuelan government.

President Michelle Bachelet also exemplifies a left-wing that respects
institutions. She has promoted social policies such as education without
having to set the stage on fire with her opponents; unlike in Ecuador,
where President Correa's governing style has been deeply polarizing with
media and the opposition.

It is very important for us Cubans to understand this. To achieve a new
democracy in Cuba, it will be necessary to build bridges with the left
and the right; to drink from both cups; to listen to each group and
individual and see how they can enrich us; to renounce authoritarianism
and promote peaceful debate.

It will not be hatred of the left, but rather love for democracy, which
will bring Cuba back.

Here are some conclusions from the study, "Because I love you, I support
you":

"Thanks to this method of mediation, we demonstrate that there exist
distinct repertoires of action within the personalistic style of
government that would not permit referring to the so-called Latin
American 'new left' as a homogenous group of leaders. Presidents such as
Hugo Chávez and José Mujica share an ideology and the establishment of
an emotional relationship with the electorate.

"However, they are separated by their relationship with democratic
institutionality. The first modified the institutional frame according
to his political agenda, concentrating power in the person of the
executive. The second has governed tied to an institutionality that
transcends the person of the president. Now, it is presidents such as
Hugo Chávez and Álvaro Uribe who, despite the ideological breach that
divided them, ended up as brothers insofar as their style of governing:
emotionally close to the electorate, and marked by some authoritarian hues.

"This result turns out to be quite relevant to the present Latin
American context, for it highlights that the political agendas of the
left that promote an egalitarian and participative democracy, and which
have been set in motion through the establishment of very close ties
between the presidents and the electorate, do no necessarily intend to
supersede institutionality and the balance of powers."

Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison

Source: Are all Latin American Left Wings the Same? / Somos+, Kaned
Garrido | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/are-all-latin-american-left-wings-the-same-somos-kaned-garrido/