The War on Democracy in Latin America — Edu Montesanti interviews John Pilger

After two decades of progressive governments spreading by the region with unprecedented economic, political and social gains, especially in human rights year by year recognized by the UN and several international organizations, Latin America faces the advance of aggressive neoliberal sectors secretly supported and financed by the Washington regime.

Journalist, Writer and Filmmaker John Pilger granted this exclusive interview where he talks about the US war on democracy in Latin America. “Modern era imperialism is a war on democracy. Genuine democracy is a threat to unfettered power and cannot be tolerated”, he says.

Capitalism (neoliberalism) is incompatible with democracy. Why? Because neoliberalism is a political theory based on economic liberalism. As a result of lack of integration of social, political and economic liberalism, neoliberalism is about concentrating power politically and privilege socially based on "capital formation," which is actually wealth accumulation. Under economic liberalism, wealth is the basis of power and privilege rather than popular sovereignty. Supposedly, scarcity requires favoring "capital formation," which entails prioritizing property ownership over the rights of people and the need of the environment.

John Pilger: There is an enduring dynamic third force in Latin American countries that tries to control events and destroy social justice — that’s the United States. US subversion, whether direct or via a proxy in countries that have elected reformist governments the US fosters a permanently aggrieved opposition. When you think of the indoctrination of North Americans who are told their country is a paragon of ideals, the irony is hideous.…

This is a dangerous time in Latin America. The gains made by the social democracies are more precarious than ever. The US used to refer to Latin America as its “farm”, having never accepted the independence of Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and, of course, Cuba.

The US wants its “farm” back.

The irony is that if the US policy makers realized the greater gains from a vibrant integrated Latin America, it would result in a win-win situation. But these are zero-sum thinkers.

Counterpunch
The War on Democracy in Latin America: Interview with John Pilger
Edu Montesanti interviews John Pilger