Right-Wing Politics in the New Latin America

The focus for students of Latin America in the past decade has been on the political forces of the left and the so-called "pink tide" presidencies attempting to bring about social and economic change in the region. However, there has been far less attention paid to the rightwing political forces resisting such change. Such opposition is being orchestrated by political parties, business, the private media and other social and cultural institutions and is linked to the "soft power" of US diplomacy. In recent years its activities have often appeared to challenge the democratic process itself.  This volume, from the editors of the acclaimed Reclaiming Latin America, addresses the current trajectories of rightwing politics in Latin America in the face of leftist governments and regional alliances, the discrediting of neoliberalism, and the decline of US hegemony. It includes overview chapters on historical context and rightwing typologies; US policy towards Latin America; the role of US-based think-tanks; the role of transnational business and of the private media, as well as offering country-specific chapters on key states with rightwing governments (Mexico, Colombia and Peru) and on opposition to left-of-center governments in Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. It will also consider the recent political victories obtained by the Latin American right through the polls and by force in Chile, Panama and Honduras. A revealing and important book for anyone interested in contemporary Latin American politics.