Imperialism, State and Social Movements in Latin America

Abstract

The militarised imperialism being consolidated by the Bush Administration forms a pretext for assuring and increasing control over natural resources, the expansion of financial and industrial capital, and the best possible conditions for U.S. trade and investment. The greatest threat facing U.S. imperialism in Latin America is the new wave of social movements that has arisen across the region. Key aspects of this process are outlined including the role of movements led by indigenous peoples' movements, women, youth, poor people, trade unionists, and peasants. Market fundamentalism is shown to play an essential role in the economic and ideological domination of imperialism. Attention is also given to those processes that tend to unify popular struggles across Latin America and it is proposed that immediate actions include an internationalist alliance that refuses any further payment on the foreign debt.