Populism

Sunrise Over South America: The Changing Face of Socialism in the 21st Century

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate J. Preston Whitt
October 12, 2010

The era of U.S.-sponsored, direct military interventions in the affairs of Latin America appears to have ended, with the U.S. instead retreating to an attempt at domination via the “dollar diplomacy” of institutions like the International Monetary Fund.  In direct response to the decades of neoliberal domination, the region has recently seen an undeniable orientation towards “socialism.”  This analysis will focus on the five “socialist” Latin American nations–Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Cuba, who...

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Venezuela’s Parliamentary Elections: Everybody Wins

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Geoff LeGrand
September 29, 2010

On September 26th, Venezuela held its first parliamentary elections since 2005. While Hugo Chávez’ United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) retained a majority in Venezuela’s National Assembly, the opposition, largely represented by the Democratic Unity Coalition (MUD), made massive gains. Moreover, according to the OAS, Venezuela’s democratic institutions operated pristinely.i The elections were largely uncontroversial, with few instances of technical error, violence, or accusations of fraud. These elections ultimately proved positive for all parties...

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Bolivian Indians in historic step

August 3, 2009

August 3, 2009 By Parker Moore Austrian State Radio News The Bolivian government has begun implementing provisions outlined in the new constitution that give indigenous people the chance to govern themselves. President Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous leader, enacted a decree setting out the conditions for Indian communities to hold votes on autonomy. These referendums will take place in December, alongside presidential and parliamentary elections. The new charter was bitterly opposed by Bolivia’s traditional...

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In Sunday’s Recall Vote, Morales’ Populist Agenda Clashes With Santa Cruz-led Eurocrats

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Chris Sweeney
August 12, 2008

• Results of the August 10 referendum paradoxically creates few losers • Support for the president in the midst of a resilient opposition • A call for national unity • Hope for stability far from certain On Sunday, August 10, Bolivia held a national referendum to measure the people’s confidence in President Evo Morales as well as the political viability of eight of the county’s nine prefects (departmental governors). The vote was approved of...

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The Bush White House, Condoleezza Rice, and Latin America: “Transformational Diplomacy” and Other Fancy Talk

This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Eva Silkwood
August 2, 2007

Through implementation of her “Transformational Diplomacy” initiative, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has aimed to reinvigorate the State Department, lifting it from the defunct Cold War-style diplomacy of the post-World War II era to a fresh 21st century and globally-oriented policy machine. Rice’s efforts in this endeavor have included greater concentration on an extended array of geographic hot spots previously ignored or neglected by U.S. diplomacy –shifting personnel and positions to areas of...

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