🌮Latin American Politics Unit 9 – Social Movements & Civil Society in Latin America

Historical Context

• Latin American social movements emerged in response to long-standing issues of inequality, poverty, and political exclusion
• Colonial legacy left deep-rooted social and economic disparities (land concentration, racial discrimination)
• 20th century saw rise of populist and authoritarian regimes that suppressed dissent and limited political participation
  • Examples include Perón in Argentina and Pinochet in Chile
• Economic crises and neoliberal policies in the 1980s and 1990s exacerbated social tensions and sparked widespread protests
• Democratization processes in the late 20th century opened up new spaces for social mobilization and civil society activism
• Historical memory of repression and resistance shapes contemporary social movements (Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina)
• Indigenous peoples' struggles for rights and recognition have deep historical roots dating back to colonial times

Key Concepts and Theories

• Social movements defined as collective actions aimed at promoting or resisting social, political, or economic change
• Resource Mobilization Theory emphasizes the importance of organizational resources, networks, and strategies for social movement success
• Political Process Theory highlights the role of political opportunities and constraints in shaping social movement emergence and outcomes
  • Openness or closure of political system, presence of allies or opponents, and state capacity for repression or accommodation
• New Social Movement Theory focuses on identity, culture, and lifestyle as central to contemporary social movements (environmental, feminist, LGBTQ+)
• Framing processes involve the construction and dissemination of ideas, symbols, and narratives to mobilize supporters and challenge dominant discourses
• Repertoires of contention refer to the various tactics and strategies employed by social movements (protests, strikes, boycotts, occupations)
• Transnational activism and solidarity networks have become increasingly important in the context of globalization

Major Social Movements

• Labor movements have been central to Latin American social struggles, fighting for workers' rights, better wages, and improved working conditions
  • Examples include the Zapatista movement in Mexico and the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) in Brazil
• Indigenous movements have mobilized for land rights, cultural recognition, and political autonomy
  • Prominent cases include the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas, Mexico and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE)
• Women's movements have challenged gender inequality, violence against women, and reproductive rights
  • Ni Una Menos movement in Argentina and the #EleNão protests against Bolsonaro in Brazil
• Environmental movements have opposed extractive industries, deforestation, and mega-projects that threaten ecosystems and communities
  • Cochabamba Water War in Bolivia and the Yasuni-ITT initiative in Ecuador
• Student movements have been at the forefront of protests against education policies, corruption, and political repression
  • Chilean student protests in 2011-2013 and the #YoSoy132 movement in Mexico
• Urban social movements have mobilized around issues of housing, public services, and the right to the city
  • Piquetero movement in Argentina and the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Teto (MTST) in Brazil

Civil Society Organizations

• Civil society refers to the sphere of voluntary associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and social networks that operate outside the state and market
• NGOs play a key role in advocating for social and political causes, providing services, and monitoring government policies
  • Examples include human rights organizations (CELS in Argentina), environmental groups (Amazon Watch), and development NGOs (TECHO)
• Community-based organizations (CBOs) work at the grassroots level to address local issues and promote collective action
  • Neighborhood associations, indigenous communities, and rural cooperatives
• Trade unions and labor federations represent workers' interests and engage in collective bargaining and political advocacy
  • Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) in Brazil and the Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) in Argentina
• Professional associations and academic networks provide expertise, research, and policy recommendations on social and political issues
  • Latin American Studies Association (LASA) and the Consejo Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales (CLACSO)
• Faith-based organizations, particularly the Catholic Church and progressive religious groups, have been involved in social justice struggles
  • Liberation Theology movement and the Conferencia Episcopal Latinoamericana (CELAM)
• Alternative media and citizen journalism initiatives challenge mainstream media narratives and provide platforms for marginalized voices
  • Mídia NINJA in Brazil and La Garganta Poderosa in Argentina

Case Studies

• Zapatista movement in Chiapas, Mexico (1994-present)
  • Indigenous uprising against neoliberal policies and for autonomy and dignity
  • Established autonomous communities and promoted participatory democracy
  • Gained international solidarity and influenced anti-globalization movements
• Piquetero movement in Argentina (1990s-2000s)
  • Unemployed workers' movement that emerged during the economic crisis
  • Organized roadblocks, protests, and community kitchens to demand jobs and social assistance
  • Challenged neoliberal policies and contributed to the downfall of the De la Rúa government in 2001
• Cochabamba Water War in Bolivia (2000)
  • Popular mobilization against the privatization of water services by a transnational corporation
  • Broad-based coalition of urban and rural residents, workers, and indigenous groups
  • Successfully reversed the privatization and inspired similar struggles across the region
• Chilean student protests (2011-2013)
  • Massive demonstrations and occupations demanding free, quality public education and an end to for-profit schools
  • Mobilized broad public support and forced the government to introduce education reforms
  • Catalyzed a wider critique of the neoliberal model and the political system inherited from the Pinochet dictatorship
• #NiUnaMenos movement in Argentina (2015-present)
  • Feminist movement against gender-based violence and femicides
  • Organized massive protests, strikes, and online campaigns to demand government action and cultural change
  • Spread to other Latin American countries and inspired a regional feminist wave
• Honduran resistance movement against the 2009 coup (2009-present)
  • Popular mobilization against the military coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya
  • Broad-based coalition of social movements, trade unions, and political organizations
  • Faced severe repression but continued to struggle for democracy, human rights, and social justice

Impact on Political Systems

• Social movements have been key drivers of democratization processes in Latin America
  • Protests against authoritarian regimes in the 1970s and 1980s (Chile, Brazil, Argentina)
  • Mobilizations against neoliberal policies and for participatory democracy in the 1990s and 2000s (Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador)
• Social movements have pushed for constitutional reforms and the expansion of rights
  • Recognition of indigenous rights and plurinational states in Bolivia and Ecuador
  • Inclusion of social, economic, and cultural rights in the Brazilian and Colombian constitutions
• Social movements have influenced public policies and state institutions
  • Creation of participatory budgeting and social programs in response to social movement demands (Brazil, Uruguay)
  • Establishment of human rights commissions and truth and reconciliation processes (Peru, Guatemala)
• Social movements have challenged traditional political parties and electoral politics
  • Emergence of new left parties and social movement coalitions (MAS in Bolivia, PSUV in Venezuela)
  • Critique of representative democracy and experimentation with direct and participatory forms of politics
• Social movements have contributed to the regionalization of Latin American politics
  • Formation of regional networks and alliances (ALBA, UNASUR)
  • Promotion of alternative regional integration based on solidarity and cooperation
• Social movements have been met with state repression, criminalization, and co-optation
  • Use of force, legal persecution, and stigmatization to demobilize and fragment social movements
  • Incorporation of social movement leaders into state institutions and political parties

Challenges and Obstacles

• Fragmentation and divisions within social movements along ideological, strategic, and identity lines
  • Tensions between reformist and revolutionary approaches, institutional and autonomous strategies
  • Intersectional challenges related to gender, race, class, and ethnicity within movements
• Dependence on external funding and support from NGOs, foundations, and international organizations
  • Risk of co-optation, depoliticization, and accountability to foreign agendas
  • Challenges of financial sustainability and organizational autonomy
• Difficulties in maintaining mobilization and participation over time
  • Burnout, demobilization, and generational turnover of activists
  • Need for ongoing recruitment, training, and motivation of supporters
• Limited access to mainstream media and communication channels
  • Marginalization and stigmatization of social movements in dominant media discourses
  • Challenges of developing alternative media and communication strategies
• Repression, violence, and human rights violations against social movement activists
  • Criminalization of protest, arbitrary detentions, and extrajudicial killings
  • Impunity for state and paramilitary violence against social movements
• Cooptation and demobilization of social movements by progressive governments
  • Incorporation of social movement demands and leaders into state institutions
  • Demobilization of autonomous social movements and weakening of critical voices
• Resilience of neoliberal policies and resistance from economic and political elites
  • Continued influence of transnational corporations, international financial institutions, and conservative sectors
  • Challenges of implementing structural reforms and redistributive policies in the face of opposition

Current Trends and Future Outlook

• Resurgence of right-wing and authoritarian governments in some Latin American countries (Brazil, Honduras, El Salvador)
  • Backlash against progressive governments and social movement gains
  • Renewed attacks on social movement activists and civil society organizations
• Deepening of extractivist and neo-developmentalist models in the region
  • Expansion of mining, oil, and agribusiness activities in indigenous and peasant territories
  • Conflicts between social movements and governments over land, water, and resources
• Increasing importance of environmental and climate justice struggles
  • Resistance to mega-projects, deforestation, and pollution
  • Alliances between indigenous, peasant, and urban movements around socio-environmental issues
• Growth of feminist and LGBTQ+ movements and intersectional approaches
  • Critique of patriarchy, machismo, and gender-based violence
  • Articulation of gender, race, and class inequalities in social movement struggles
• Expansion of digital activism and online social movements
  • Use of social media and digital platforms for mobilization, communication, and denunciation
  • Challenges of digital security, surveillance, and censorship
• Increased regionalization and internationalization of Latin American social movements
  • Participation in global networks and forums (World Social Forum, Via Campesina)
  • Solidarity and exchange of experiences with social movements in other regions
• Potential for renewed social movement mobilization in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its social and economic impacts
  • Exacerbation of inequalities, poverty, and precarity
  • Opportunities for collective action and solidarity in the face of the crisis