Latin America at The Crossroads: Populism and Alternatives to the Crises

Abstract. Latin America has often been considered a political laboratory for populism. In recent years, new left-wing governments and the emergence of an alternative right-wing in many countries may have theoretically and analytically changed the notion of populism. Do they have something in common with 20th-century populism? To address this question, the theoretical framework on populism will first be presented to provide analytical tools that introduce categories and key elements. This article will explore the structural causes of populism in Latin America. Three main perspectives will be considered by exploring populist literature: (neo)liberal, new left, and alternative right. Finally, contemporary populist regimes (both left and right-wing) will be analysed to bring about a theoretical and analytical synthesis.

Keywords: Populism; Neoliberalism; Authoritarianism; Anarcho-capitalism; Libertarianism.