PERMANENT REVOLUTION IN LATIN AMERICA IBD

Sinopse

This book presents the histories of the revolutions in Cuba,Nicaragua, and Venezuela as the latest demonstrations of the pricethe popular masses pay for the absence of a correct revolutionarystrategy. The goal of the leaders of the revolutionary movements in allthree countries was to create a progressive, independent bourgeoisdemocraticstate but contrary to expectations, the national bourgeoisiedid not welcome a national democratic revolution. Instead, facedwith a mass movement, it fought hard to re-assert its own and USimperialism&rsquo,s economic and political stranglehold, opposing increaseddemocratic rights, greater social equality, agrarian reform and theredistribution of wealth.We trace how, in all three countries, the national bourgeoisie joinedforces with imperialism and used violent methods to reverse theprogressive measures made, and when these attempts failed carriedon a campaign of economic sabotage to starve the masses intosubmission. In Cuba the revolution was propelled forward by abolishingcapitalism and enormous conquests were made. In Nicaragua andVenezuela, the revolution was stopped half way, leading to disasterand defeat.As the world enters a decisive revolutionary epoch, reformists, justas they did in Nicaragua and Venezuela, attempt to hold that revolutionback. In the face of all experience, their solution to social crises is onewhich stubbornly remains within the narrow limits of capitalism.This book is a contribution to the debate about revolutionarystrategy. It highlights the lessons to be learned from the recent past,argues against the failed reformist approach and draws the conclusionthat only through the workers coming to power and expropriating theoligarchy can we begin to overcome the exploitation and oppressionof the masses.