The New Mole

The balance sheet of the Left in the turbulent Latin American continent. The New Mole is a major new analysis of recent developments in Latin American politics by one of the continent’s leading political thinkers. Emir Sader explains the resurgence of radicalism in terms of the region’s history and explores its theoretical underpinning. The book is unusual in combining succinct judgments with broad chronological and geographical sweep—covering a period running from the early twentieth century to the present and detailing the political interplay between nations. Sader points to areas where Latin America offers new insights to the world—on indigenous questions, for example—and areas where political thought lags behind practice, as in Venezuela. He also examines the process of regional integration under way in Latin America, which stands out because it is occurring independently of Washington. Looking at the role of political and ideological struggles in defining the continent’s trajectory, Sader concludes with an optimistic affirmation of agency that is all the more convincing for its sobriety. Emir Sader Emir Sader is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of São Paolo and Director of the Latin American Social Science Research Council (CLACSO). He is the author of numerous works including (with Ken Silverstein) Without Fear of Being Happy: Lula, the Workers Party and Brazil.