Title: Contemporary World Issues - Socialism in Latin America
Headings: Contemporary World Issues
Contemporary World Issues
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Socialism in Latin America
Countries with Leftist Leaders
The Meaning of Socialism
Why Socialist Ideals are Popular in Latin America
The Rise of Socialism in Latin America
How You Can Get Involved
The following is an interview with Evo Morales, President of Bolivia, with Jon Stewart from The Daily Show:
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Content: Contemporary World Issues - Socialism in Latin America
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Socialism in Latin America
Countries with Leftist Leaders
Cuba - Raul Castro, Communist Party of Cuba
Venezeula - Hugo Chavez, United Socialist Party of Venezuela
Bolivia - Evo Morales, Movement Towards Socialism Party
Chile - Michelle Bachelet, Socialist Party of Chile
Argentina - Nestor Kirchner, Front for Victory Party
Uruguay - Tabare Vazquez, Broad Front Party
Brazil - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazilian Worker's Party
Ecuador - Rafael Correa, Alianza PAIS Party
The Meaning of Socialism
According to The American Democracy, an American government textbook, socialism is defined as an econonmic system in which government owns and controls many of the major industries. This vague defintion can be applied to many of the new programs being implemented by the emerging Latin American leaders. While few countries in Latin America operate under officially socialist governments, many newly elected leaders have established goals that are leftist and socialist leaning. Starting with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela in 1998, many countries have followed the trend of electing left-leaning leaders. Unlike the communist movement of the mid-20th century which orginated in Europe, this new pattern of leftist tendencies is rooted in Latin America. These new leaders use socialist practices in order to create more equality and wealth within their countries. Their goal is not to abolish capitalism or democracy, but simply to improve their citizens' quality of life through the most effective means. The new wave of leftist ideas in Latin America are not neccessarily against capitalism, but are in support of doing what is neccessary to help the poor and bring justice and equality to an area that never in its history has been able to achieve this. This new trend toward socialist policies mostly entails nationalizing major industries such as oil, railroads, steel, tin, and copper. The profits of these sectors have been moved from large corporations and into social programs such as hospitals for the poor in Venezuela and rebuilding infrastructure in Bolivia.