From Rio de Janeiro
Since capitalism modeled itself on neoliberalism, the character and ways in which the left operates have been redefined. To be anti-capitalist, in this historical period, is to be, above all, anti-neoliberal. Resisting and combating neoliberal hegemony throughout the world must be the central goal of the left in the 21st century.
Throughout the 20th century, with a more favorable correlation, the left had different goals. The international correlation of forces was different. The end of the USSR and the socialist camp represented a defeat and a huge setback for the entire left in the world, even for that left that did not approve of the Soviet model. His expectation was the departure from the Soviet model towards a model of democratic socialism, in which there was no nationalization of the means of production, but their socialization in the hands of the proletariat. In which there was no political model of a united party, but rather political diversity.
The models
That’s not what happened. It became clear that the Russians did not want democracy, but consumption. Most state companies were privatized. Russia did not go from the state model of socialism to a democratic model, but to the restoration of capitalism.
Socialism has almost disappeared from the world stage. China appealed to a market model, to revitalize its model of socialism. Cuba resists, not without difficulties, to maintain its socialism.
The neoliberal model spread throughout the world like no other had. Now with the news that it has reached the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe and Russia itself. In Latin America, as well as in Europe, social democratic and nationalist governments adhered to neoliberalism.
“Another world is possible”
The left went on the defensive, lost the initiative, began to focus its struggle on resistance to neoliberalism. Own World Social Forum, that began to group together all those who resisted neoliberalism, had as its motto: “Another world is possible”, it had to fight for the reaffirmation that neoliberalism was not the only possibility, that the only thought and the end of history did not have validity.
The only region in the world that had anti-neoliberal governments was Latin America. With alternative programs to neoliberalism, focused on the priority of social policies and not on fiscal adjustment; in regional integration and not in free trade agreements with the US; in the rescue of an active State and not in the centrality of the market. The new leftist leaders in the world came from Latin America: Hugo Chávez, Lula, Néstor and Cristna Kirchner, Pepe Mujica, Evo Morales, Rafael Correa, López Obrador emerged from Latin American governments.
In the world, neoliberalism continued to be the hegemonic model.. Resisting neoliberalism and defeating neoliberalism is the current path of the left in the world. A still fragile path, because neoliberalism continues to be hegemonic in the United States, Europe and Asia. With the exception of Latin America and China. China has an anti-neoliberal program, with the predominant role of the State, combined with market forms, to design a model of non-state socialism, as was the Soviet model..
The historical period continues to be defensive for the left. And of ideological and political dispute. Depending on the results of the struggle to resist and defeat neoliberalism, we will have the character of the next period. It may be that this period is extended further. It is up to the Latin American anti-neoliberal forces to find strong allies in the center of capitalism. Y the articulation of these forces with China and Russia, through the BRICS. This implies the reintegration of Brazil into the Brics, an alliance space between Latin America, China and Russia, as bearers of the alternative of a multipolar world. These are the dispute conditions of the next historical period in the world today.
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