About the Book

Based on a lifetime’s experience in politics, this book is a critique of social democratic realpolitik. It studies the challenges faced by the left now, and suggests ways to move forward to build a different world. The author looks to the social experiments being carried out in Latin America today: they are essentially socialist, democratic projects in which the people are the driving force. Rebuilding the Left offers real hope to those who believe that an alternative to capitalism is necessary and possible.

Commendations

‘To me, this is a book which speaks out to proponents of socialist revolution and ordinary people… a book which could be very useful to everyone. In the chapter dealing with the organic crisis in the left, Harnecker analyzes what has happened and makes some very important proposals about political organization.’ - Hugo Chavez, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

'This book is an illuminating overview of the revolutionary left, particularly in Latin America, and its failings in the second part of the 20th century. Essential reading for all those who are trying to revive the left to meet new challenges.' - Samir Amin

'Full of observations, analyses and reflections which are extremely useful for the times we live in. Harnecker’s personal knowledge of so many social and political movements makes this book particularly important.' - Francois Houtart

Contents

Introduction
1. The Left Today: Ill-Equipped to Confront a Changing World
2. Resistance to the Neoliberal Model is Growing
3. Crisis of Theory
4. Programmatic Crisis
5. Organic Crisis
6. A Political Instrument for New Challenges
7. Local Governments: Glimpses of an Alternative Path

About the Author

Marta Harnecker is a sociologist, political scientist, journalist and activist. After studying with Louis Althusser in Paris she returned to her native Chile, but was forced into exile following the military coup against Salvador Allende’s government. In Cuba she ran the research institute Memoria Popular Latinoamerica (MEPLA) and continues to write. She has published over 60 books to date, from her classic The Basic Concepts of Historical Materialism to the more recent The Left after Seattle. An ardent defender of the Bolivarian revolution, Harnecker’s most recent books are Hugo Chávez Frias: un hombre, un pueblo; Venezuela: Militares junto al pueblo and Venezuela: una revolución sui generis.