The New Mole - Path of the Latin American Left

by Emir Sader

The balance sheet of the Left in the turbulent Latin Americancontinent. The New Mole is a major new analysis of recent developments inLatin American politics by one of the continent's leading politicalthinkers. Emir Sader explains the resurgence of radicalism in termsof the region's history and explores its theoretical underpinning.The book is unusual in combining succinct judgments with broadchronological and geographical sweep—covering aperiod running from the early twentieth century to the present anddetailing the political interplay between nations. Sader points to areas where Latin America offers new insights tothe world—on indigenous questions, forexample—and areas where political thought lagsbehind practice, as in Venezuela. He also examines the process ofregional integration under way in Latin America, which stands outbecause it is occurring independently of Washington. Looking at therole of political and ideological struggles in defining thecontinent's trajectory, Sader concludes with an optimisticaffirmation of agency that is all the more convincing for itssobriety. About the Author Emir Sader is Emeritus Professor of PoliticalScience at the University of São Paolo and Directorof the Latin American Social Science Research Council (CLACSO). Heis the author of numerous works including (with Ken Silverstein)Without Fear of Being Lula, the Workers Party andBrazil.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jakoś same książki o socjalizmie czytam na tej kwarantannie

[Martin Empson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emir Sader's recent book is an attempt to grapple with the changing movements in South America and offer some direction forwards. Unfortunately the book is somewhat mechanical in its approach to historical change and while it acknowledges the problems of some of those governments (such as that of the Workers' Party in Brazil) which have failed to deliver much of the people's hopes, Sader tends to argue that better a slightly progressive bulwark against neoliberalism than none at all. Even if this means capitulating to the wider problems of the capitalist system.

Full review: http://resolutereader.blogspot.co.uk/...

[Rohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good big-picture look at the political philosophies and meanings of left-wing movements and governments in Latin America, with a general theme revolving around what strategies to take to resist and overthrow neoliberalism. This is definitely a book meant for a left-wing audience, and for people who have some level of familiarity with Latin American politics and history. Indeed some of the arguments can seem a bit conservative, or at least pessimistic, in terms of refuting the positions of what the author terms as "ultra-left" politics. But regardless this is a very thought-provoking book and does a great job of putting current events into a deep historical context.

[Christian Holtfort Delgadillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about History and, of course, Politics.
I love how it centers on Latin America and not other places in the world. There are so many things already said about the US, Europe, Russia, but not so many, at least that's what I think, about Latin America.
I'm rating it with three stars merely because I found it a bit heavy to read. It's a Politics book, after all, not fiction.
I did enjoy it very much.

[Louie Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent wee read on the trends in the Latin American left and the ‘post-neoliberal’ governments of Lula, Chavez, and others. Points to the cyclical nature of Latin American politics and its change about every decade.

[John]

Great read. Short and wonderfully analytical primer on how to fight neoliberalism in practical ways using the power of the state, as exemplified by most Latin American countries to one degree or another in the last ten years. Less detail about the individual progressive governments than I would have wished, but contained some clear analysis that provokes a lot of thought.

[Lawrence John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional work. A Very useful approach to left strategy. I must read it again soon.