Back to the streets. ¿Neo-populism or new left?

Abstract

How do we interpret the electoral triumph of political alliances of progressive and socially active groups in sorne countries of the region? What do Chavez, Evo Morales, the Kirchners, Lula, Correa, Jose Mugicaand the recent victoiy of Ollanta Humala in Peru represent to the region? Who are the social actors on the streets? To sorne it is a response to two harsh decades of capitalist modernization programs. To others it is a return to old populist actors in the midst of social unrest and grievances. There is a new way to look at this development without having to engage in name tagging. This paper supports the idea that we are at a preliminary stage of a new hegemony that counters big local businesses and representatives of transnational corporations.