When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

You've reached your limit of one free article.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime .

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Exclusive International news coverage

Ad-free experience NEW

Weekly digital Magazine NEW

9 daily & weekly Newsletters

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Free trial

30-days free access, then $2.90
per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
Argentina

Argentina Elections, A Wake-Up Call For Latin American Left

Protesting in Bogota, Colombia
Protesting in Bogota, Colombia
Arlene B. Tickner

BOGOTÁ — Recent election defeats for the social-democratic Peronist candidate in Argentina, and for Bogotá"s unapologetic socialist mayor, may be part of a wider trend for leftist leaders across Latin America. Both those elections — not to mention several mass protests against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's Workers Party — suggest voters are tired of business-as-usual from long entrenched socialist leaders.

Most immediately, the victory of Mauricio Macri in Sunday's election over the hand-picked candidate of Argentina's outgoing President Cristina Kirchner could be a bad omen for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose rule may be threatened by conservatives and liberals hope to deprive the Left of its parliamentary majority in elections next month.

But the backlash may be even more far-reaching. History has shown that when left-wing forces are in the political opposition, they are usually lucid and effective in denouncing the depredations of the neo-liberal order and globalized economy, and the limitations of liberal democracy in that context. Socialist forces across Latin America have promised alternative models of development and political participation that would be fairer and more inclusive.

For a while, in the first decade of this century, booming commodities prices fueled atypical economic growth that "happily" coincided with the arrival of left-wing governments in several states in the region. Disposing of ample funds, the Left was able to free itself of some entrenched market-related restrictions and dogmas, and push through policies that reduced poverty and (to a lesser degree) inequality. Services were expanded (especially in health care and education), and awareness spread of the importance of defending the rights of weaker sectors of society.

Still, like the mythical Sisyphus whom the gods forced to endlessly roll a rock up a mountain before it tumbled back down, the continent's Left has striven to promote its social justice and fair economy ideals, but apparently lacked the ability to realize them.

Progressive promises

Undoubtedly, there are structural and international obstacles here, like globalization; as well as national impediments like weak institutions or scientific and technological deficiencies that have prevented them from delivering their promised "better world."

But the economic and political decisions taken by several "progressive" governments — which admittedly are not all identical — are also to blame.

Beside the uncommon levels of corruption that stain its record in most Latin American countries where the Left has governed, two other broader tensions remain unresolved.

One is between the principles of rule of law and primacy of state institutions on the one hand, and the "direct" and participative style of democracy touted by some, which has too often led to a leader's perpetuation in power.

The other tension is between sustainable development and development based on extracting and selling raw materials. While exploiting natural resources has resolved some problems — like filling state coffers with short-term cash — it has proved environmentally harmful, and kept Latin American economies utterly dependent on the whims of the commodities market.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Society

Should Christians Be Scared Of Horror Movies?

Horror films have a complicated and rich history with christian themes and influences, but how healthy is it for audiences watching?

Should Christians Be Scared Of Horror Movies?

"The Nun II" was released on Sept. 2023.

Joseph Holmes

“The Nun II” has little to show for itself except for its repetitive jump scares — but could it also be a danger to your soul?

Christians have a complicated relationship with the horror genre. On the one hand, horror movies are one of the few types of Hollywood films that unapologetically treat Christianity (particularly Catholicism) as good.

“The Exorcist” remains one of the most successful and acclaimed movies of all time. More recently, “The Conjuring” franchise — about a wholesome husband and wife duo who fight demons for the Catholic Church in the 1970s and related spinoffs about the monsters they’ve fought — has more reverent references to Jesus than almost any movie I can think of in recent memory (even more than many faith-based films).

The Catholic film critic Deacon Steven Greydanus once mentioned that one of the few places where you can find substantial positive Catholic representation was inhorror films.

Keep reading...Show less

The latest