Latin America’s left-wing experiment is a warning to the world
The region has some of the most left-leaning politicians on the planet. And they are scaring off investors
Over the past year or so a majority of Latin Americans have gone into a polling booth and put their mark next to the candidates who most represent change. As a result, left-wing presidents have come to power in Brazil, Chile and Colombia. They join a swathe of established left-wingers in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and Peru, and the autocratic left in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Across Latin America, 12 of 19 countries are now run by left-wing governments. They represent 92% of the region’s people and 90% of its GDP. This group is a diverse bunch. And yet they all promise big results. Can they deliver? As the world moves towards more state intervention, Latin America’s experiment offers several cautionary lessons.
This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline “A warning to the world”
From the May 20th 2023 edition
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