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“Left Waves” in Latin America in the XXI Century: Common and Particular

78
Rubric: Latin America: in Search of Own Way
DOI: 10.20542/0131-2227-2026-70-2-94-103
EDN: QIXCNC
A. Silokhina, ORCID 0009-0005-1697-6053, alexasila@yandex.ru
MGIMO University, 76, Prosp. Vernadskogo, Moscow, 119454, Russian Federation.
PDF (RUS)

Received 10.09.2025. Revised 31.10.2025. Accepted 01.12.2025.

Abstract. The article provides a comparative analysis of the “left turns” in Latin America in the XXI century in terms of the prerequisites, conditions, ideology and political practice of the “new left” using qualitative research methods. The scientific significance of this study lies in identifying the current trends in the development of the Latin American left movement at the present stage, which makes a significant contribution to the study of political transformations in the region. The common features of the “left drift” of the early XXI century and the new “pink tide” since 2018, as well as the distinctive features of the two “waves”, have been identified. The cyclical nature of the “left waves” stems from the deeply rooted leftist tradition and culture in Latin American countries, and leftist political projects enjoy popular support. However, the intensity of the “left waves” is decreasing. Currently, left-wing politicians are more heterogeneous than representatives of the first “wave”, there is a lack of coordination at the regional level, and there is also a noticeable convergence of their ideological attitudes with Social Democrats’ stance, which indicates a shift towards the center of the political spectrum. The combination of the internal political challenges faced by the “new left” reflects their vulnerability, which does not exclude a new “rightward shift” in the near future, given the growth of extreme right-wing forces in the region.

Keywords: Latin America, left turn, pink tide, “new left”, leftist ideology, left-wing political forces, progressivism, progressive governments, social justice


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For citation:
Silokhina A. “Left Waves” in Latin America in the XXI Century: Common and Particular. World Eñonomy and International Relations, 2026, vol. 70, no. 2, pp. 94–103. https://doi.org/10.20542/0131-2227-2026-70-2-94-103 EDN: QIXCNC

Contents World Eñonomy and International Relations. 2026, vol. 70, no. 2

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