Power and Impotence: A History of South America under Progressivism (1998-2016)

Fabio Luis Barbosa dos Santos delves into the history of South America to understand the rise and fall of the so-called ‘progressive governments’. In the wake of mobilizations against neoliberalism in the 1990s, most countries elected presidents identified with change. However, less than twenty years after Hugo Chavez’s victory, this trend seems to be reversed. The times of Lula are now Bolsonaro’s. What happened? Supported by an extensive bibliography and hundreds of interviews, the author addresses each South American country, including those who did not elect progressives, in addition to Cuba. The national focus is enriched by an analysis of regional integration attempts, providing a detailed and necessary recent history of the subcontinent.

Originally published in Portuguese as Uma historia da onda progressista sul-americana (1998-2016) by Elefante, Sao Paulo, 2018.

Fabio Luis Barbosa dos Santos mergulha na historia da America do Sul para compreender a ascensao e queda dos chamados ‘governos progressistas’. Na esteira de mobilizacoes contra o neoliberalismo nos anos 1990, a maioria dos paises da regiao elegeu presidentes identificados com a mudanca. Contudo, menos de vinte anos depois da vitoria de Hugo Chavez, essa onda chega ao fim. Os tempos de Lula agora sao de Bolsonaro. O que aconteceu? Apoiado em extensa bibliografia e centenas de entrevistas, o autor aborda cada pais, inclusive os que nao elegeram progressistas, alem de Cuba. O enfoque nacional e enriquecido por uma analise das tentativas de integracao regional, oferecendo uma detalhada e necessaria historia recente do subcontinente.