John Roberts

Permanent Revolution in Latin America John Roberts

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