Permanent Revolution in Latin America

<p>This book presents the histories of the revolutions in Cuba<br />Nicaragua and Venezuela as the latest demonstrations of the price<br />the popular masses pay for the absence of a correct revolutionary<br />strategy. The goal of the leaders of the revolutionary movements in all<br />three countries was to create a progressive independent bourgeoisdemocratic<br />state but contrary to expectations the national bourgeoisie<br />did not welcome a national democratic revolution. Instead faced<br />with a mass movement it fought hard to re-assert its own and US<br />imperialism’s economic and political stranglehold opposing increased<br />democratic rights greater social equality agrarian reform and the<br />redistribution of wealth.<br />We trace how in all three countries the national bourgeoisie joined<br />forces with imperialism and used violent methods to reverse the<br />progressive measures made and when these attempts failed carried<br />on a campaign of economic sabotage to starve the masses into<br />submission. In Cuba the revolution was propelled forward by abolishing<br />capitalism and enormous conquests were made. In Nicaragua and<br />Venezuela the revolution was stopped half way leading to disaster<br />and defeat.<br />As the world enters a decisive revolutionary epoch reformists just<br />as they did in Nicaragua and Venezuela attempt to hold that revolution<br />back. In the face of all experience their solution to social crises is one<br />which stubbornly remains within the narrow limits of capitalism.<br />This book is a contribution to the debate about revolutionary<br />strategy. It highlights the lessons to be learned from the recent past<br />argues against the failed reformist approach and draws the conclusion<br />that only through the workers coming to power and expropriating the<br />oligarchy can we begin to overcome the exploitation and oppression<br />of the masses.</p>