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Introduction
Since the late nineties, left forces have taken over government responsibility in a growing number of countries in Latin America; in Europe too, the left has participated in governing coalitions. An evaluation of whether government participation has been successful or not should be based on whether the left has been able to achieve structural changes effective beyond the short term of government participation, and whether it has been able to enlarge its social base. On the basis of these criteria, the participation of the left in governments will have to be assessed very differently.
On the other hand, during the world crisis, the left faces the challenge of using the opportunity to fight for the fulfilment of a just international society. The effects of the crisis are threatening the conditions of life of the people in east and west, north and south, and only by a radical reversal of the neoliberal domination of the market over the social conditions of life will it be possible to safeguard the possibilities for development. Is the left able to not only provide a profound analysis of the world crisis, but also to develop concrete concepts for action? And are there key elements in the necessarily regionally differentiated concepts which can be interconnected worldwide?
At issue at the strategic level is the formation of broad societal and political alliances across the boundaries of issues and of territories. Transnational cooperation between the left in the different world regions is of great importance in that regard. Particularly the success of the left movements in Latin America has an inspiring effect on the European left, encouraging them to consistently oppose the neoliberal and imperialistic world order. It is thus important for us to carry on a continuous dialogue with the left in Latin America.
Content
Rosa Luxemburg´s Main Objections to Participation in Bourgeois Governments – A discussion
Michael Brie, Germany
The Crisis of Capitalism and Post-Capitalist Horizons
Pedro Páez Pérez, Ecuador
The Different Strategies of Left Movements in Latin America
Valter Pomar, Brazil
The Italian Case: A Point of View
Luciana Castellina, Italy
The Left in Government, the Crisis of Capitalism and Post-Neoliberalism: Challenges and Political Perspectives for the Implementation of a New Model of Socio-Economic Development in Brazil
Iole Ilíada, Brazil
To be in Office, but not in Power: Left Parties in the Squeeze between Peoples’ Expectations and an Unfavourable Balance of Power
Asbjørn Wahl, Norway
The Paraguayan Left and the Challenges of the New Government
Rocío Casco, Paraguay
A National Project of the Left: The Poltical Experience of the FMLN
Carlos Castañeda Magaña, El Salvador
What to Do when Hope defeats Fear? The Historical Election Victory of the Salvadorian Left
Ernesto Zelayandia, El Salvador
Changing Politics our Way: Projects and Experiences in a Red-Red Coalition
Stefan Liebich, Germany
Left-wing Governments in France and the Challenge of Hegemony
Elisabeth Gauthier, France
The Left in Goverment: Cultural and Political Dimension of the Current Changes
Lilián Celiberti, Uruguay
The Left in Government: The Experience of Cyprus
Ioannis Colocasides, Cyprus
The Left: Administrator of Crisis or Promoter of Structural Reforms?
Germán Rodas Chaves, Ecuador
Changing Relations between Party and Non-Parliamentary Organisations: The Example of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Steffen Bockhahn, Germany
The Left in Government: Elements of the Programme Programme to Continue the Change
Graciela García Vera, Uruguay
Left Unity and Struggle for a new Programme of Change: Peculiarities of the Brazilian Situation
José Reinaldo Carvalho, Brasil
Neoliberalism in Chile and Challenges for Left Governance
Carlos Arrue, Chile
The Strength to Change the Financial and Economic Structures: Some Key Elements to Change the Power Balance
Francisco Contreras, Sweden
Anticipating Boliviarian Socialism
Héctor Rodríguez Castro, Venezuela
Responses of Venezuela's Rentier Socialism to the Recent Decline of International Oil Prices
Margarita López Maya y Luis E. Lander, Venezuela
The Red-Green Government of Norway and the Alliances with Trade Unions and Social Movements
Dag Seierstad, Norway
Advocating Hydropower Sovereignity in Paraguay
José Pineda, Paraguay