South America Turns Left — Are We Looking at a New Political Cycle?
A political transformation is underway in South America that sees leftists taking over power and the world is watching, ready to re-evaluate regional and global perceptions. With Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil and Alberto Fernández in Argentina, the region seems to be surfing a wave of progressive change after years of political upheaval, economic suffering and social demands for change.
Lula’s return to power in Brazil, one of the biggest and most influential countries in the continent, has already received a lot of attention. His campaign emphasized reversing environmental destruction, curbing inequality and returning Brazil to a prominent place in world affairs. Lula narrowly defeated his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, and his return to the presidency is a watershed moment for not only Brazil but also South America’s political configuration. Lula’s policies, especially his pledge to protect the Amazon rainforest, have international resonance and suggest a new start on climate change cooperation.
President Alberto Fernández has pursued progressive economic reforms and social justice initiatives in neighboring Argentina with similar fervor. But while his administration is assailed for a surge in inflation and growing debt, the agenda Fernández is pursuing diverges markedly from the neoliberal policies of prior governments. His time in power speaks to a larger trend: the return of left-wing populism, driven by popular discontent over inequality and austerity policies.
Chile, Colombia and Peru have also shifted to the left recently, electing leaders who support increased social programs and redistribution of wealth. Chile’s Gabriel Boric, for example, became a symbol of youthful energy and progressive ideals. With his administration’s goal of overhauling the nation’s pension system and rewriting its constitution, Boric reflects a profound upheaval in the social contract in the country after decades of neoliberal leadership. Like him, Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, the country’s first leftist president, has made peace talks, land reform and environmental policies a focus, a radical change for a country long ruled by conservative power.
This growth in leftist leadership is taking place amidst economic crises worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic that exposed entrenched inequalities across South America. Multiple voters have become disillusioned with centrist or right-leaning governments, which have been unable to improve widespread poverty and corruption. The leftist wave, however, faces some hurdles. These leaders under tremendous pressure to deliver on bold promises while contending with the global market volatility, political opposition, and entrenched power structures.
Critics say that some governments on the left could scare off international investors, or that others could overload public accounts by introducing lavish social programs. However, supporters argue this new leadership puts people before profit and seeks to build fairer societies. And radically this time around, this wave is more pragmatic than ideological: the leaders tend to marry progressive ends with conservative means, in stark contrast to earlier eras of polarizing politics.
The question is whether these trends signify a permanent transformation or a temporary reaction to crisis. While the political landscape of South America is certainly turning a page, the decisions its leaders make in years to come will not just determine the future of the region, but also what role it plays on the world stage. For now, the ascendance of left-wing leadership reflects a unified desire for change—a testament to how when in doubt, people will reach for new ideas and bold visions.
