Left Unites! - by Sousa Santos, Boaventura

A Call for a New Left

In his book, Left Unites!, Boaventura de Sousa Santos argues that the left is in crisis. The old left, based on the working class and social democracy, is no longer able to represent the interests of the majority of people. The new left, on the other hand, is still in its infancy and has yet to find a clear direction.

Santos argues that the left needs to unite in order to challenge the power of the right. He proposes a new left that is based on the following principles:

• Social justice: The left must fight for social justice and equality for all people, regardless of their race, gender, class, or sexual orientation.
• Economic democracy: The left must fight for economic democracy and a more just distribution of wealth.
• Environmental sustainability: The left must fight for environmental sustainability and a transition to a green economy.
• Participatory democracy: The left must fight for participatory democracy and a greater say for ordinary people in the decisions that affect their lives.

Santos argues that the left can only win if it unites and fights for these principles. He calls on the left to come together and build a new movement for social change.

The Crisis of the Left

The left is in crisis. The old left, based on the working class and social democracy, is no longer able to represent the interests of the majority of people. The new left, on the other hand, is still in its infancy and has yet to find a clear direction.

There are a number of factors that have contributed to the crisis of the left. One factor is the decline of the working class. In many countries, the working class has been shrinking in size and power. This has made it more difficult for the left to mobilize a base of support.

Another factor is the rise of neoliberalism. Neoliberalism is a political and economic ideology that emphasizes free markets, deregulation, and privatization. Neoliberalism has led to increased inequality and social injustice, which has made it more difficult for the left to build a broad coalition of support.

Finally, the left has been divided by internal conflicts. There are different factions within the left that have different ideas about what the left should stand for and how it should achieve its goals. These divisions have made it difficult for the left to present a united front against the right.

The New Left

The new left is still in its infancy, but it is beginning to take shape. The new left is based on a number of different social movements, including the environmental movement, the feminist movement, the LGBTQ+ movement, and the anti-globalization movement. These movements are united by a common commitment to social justice, economic democracy, environmental sustainability, and participatory democracy.

The new left is still facing a number of challenges. One challenge is the lack of a clear ideology. The new left is made up of a diverse group of movements with different ideas about what the left should stand for and how it should achieve its goals. This diversity can be a source of strength, but it can also make it difficult for the left to present a united front against the right.

Another challenge is the lack of resources. The new left is often underfunded and outmatched by the right in terms of media coverage and political influence. This makes it difficult for the left to get its message out to the public and to build a broad base of support.

Despite these challenges, the new left is making progress. The new left is building a new movement for social change that is based on the principles of social justice, economic democracy, environmental sustainability, and participatory democracy. The new left is the hope for a better future.

The Left Must Unite

The left can only win if it unites. The left needs to come together and build a new movement for social change. This movement must be based on the principles of social justice, economic democracy, environmental sustainability, and participatory democracy. The left must unite to challenge the power of the right and to build a better future for all.

Conclusion

Left Unites! is a call for a new left. Boaventura de Sousa Santos argues that the left is in crisis and that it needs to unite in order to challenge the power of the right. Santos proposes a new left that is based on the principles of social justice, economic democracy, environmental sustainability, and participatory democracy. He argues that the left can only win if it unites and fights for these principles.