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Acton Commentary: Fracasos de la izquierda latinoamericana
Acton Commentary: Fracasos de la izquierda latinoamericana
Apr 4, 2025 12:52 PM

My recent mentary, Latin America: After the Left, has been republished in a number of Latin American newspapers. For the benefit of our Spanish speaking friends, Acton is publishing the translation of the article that appeared today in the Paraguayan daily, ABC Color. The translation and distribution to Latin American papers was handled by Carlos Ball at . Commentary in Spanish follows:

Fracasos de la izquierda latinoamericana

por Samuel Gregg

La izquierda confronta grandes problemas en América Latina. La reciente elección de Sebastián o primer presidente chileno de centro-derecha en varias décadas se debió a la incapacidad demostrada por la coalición de centro izquierda que gobierna en Chile desde 1990. Y en toda América Latina se nota el desmoronamiento de la izquierda que por mucho tiempo sostuvo las riendas del poder.

Los futuros historiadores probablemente determinarán que esta enzó con la negativa del Congreso de Honduras, de su Corte Suprema, del Defensor del Pueblo, del Tribunal Supremo Electoral, de los dos principales partidos políticos y de los obispos católicos a que el ex presidente Manuel Zelaya violara el orden constitucional, al estilo chavista.

Y la izquierda populista se marchita porque sus políticas económicas se están hundiendo. El ejemplo más claro es Venezuela. Recientemente, Chávez tuvo que devaluar la moneda, socavando el poder adquisitivo de todos los venezolanos, acribillados por la recesión y la inflación, además del racionamiento de productos básicos y de electricidad.

El aliado de Chávez, el presidente ecuatoriano Rafael Correa, no ha conseguido gente dispuesta a invertir en plantas eléctricas, razón por la que ha tenido que racionar también el consumo de electricidad. Esto no sorprende, ya que Correa declaró una cesación de pagos sobre un tercio de la deuda externa en 2008, destruyendo el crédito de la nación. Y su hermano fue recientemente acusado de corrupción, aumentando el descontento de la población y poniendo en duda que Correa pueda terminar su período presidencial.

Las cosas no están mejor para otros o Evo Morales en Bolivia, quien fue reelegido en diciembre de 2009, ya que la situación económica boliviana se sigue deteriorando. Como informa The Economist, la producción de gas está en caída libre desde que el sector fue nacionalizado en 2006 y los inversionistas extranjeros se han asustado por las políticas izquierdistas de Morales, todo lo cual hace prever un enorme déficit este año.

Pero la oposición a políticas populistas está muy fragmentada en América Latina. Los latinoamericanos buscan alternativas tanto al populismo o a la oligarquía que antes solía dominar. El remedio no es ningún secreto, sino lograr que funcione el estado de derecho, bajo gobiernos limitados que respeten la propiedad privada, promuevan la creación de empleos productivos y abran los mercados a la petencia, todo lo cual favorece especialmente a los más pobres.

Esa realidad prueba parar a Argentina con Australia. En 1900, ambos eran dos de los países más ricos del mundo, bendecidos con inmensos recursos naturales y poblaciones del mismo tamaño. Hoy Australia sigue siendo una de las naciones más prósperas, mientras que Argentina está arruinada. La diferencia está en que Australia abandonó el proteccionismo hace 30 años, a la vez que respeta los derechos de propiedad y goza de un gobierno limitado.

Pero todo cambio cultural es muy difícil. ¿Cómo se puede persuadir a millones a modificar hábitos profundamente arraigados? Una manera es cambiando los incentivos. La sociedad donde las empresas son incentivadas a ser creadores de riqueza es muy diferente a aquella donde las empresas son incentivadas a convertirse en vasallos dependientes de los favores de la clase política.

Igualmente importante es persuadir a la población que la adhesión al imperio de la ley nos beneficia a todos, no solo porque es eficaz sino también porque cumple con la justicia natural. Si las personas carecen de sentido moral es muy difícil que resistan los esfuerzos de los políticos en ponerles de nuevo la mano a todos los incentivos económicos.

* Director de investigaciones del Acton Institute

©

10 de Febrero de 2010 00:01

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