Behind the News: Radicals on the Run w/ Joel Whitney
Jun 19, 2024
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Author Joel Whitney discusses radical figures pursued by the US security state in the book Flights. Topics include CIA tactics, activism, and the impact of intelligence agencies on American radicals. Also, explores Gabriel Garcia Marquez's encounter with Mundo Nuevo and the CIA, as well as the turbulent history of the American Indian Movement and the McCarthyite atmosphere surrounding protests.
AMLO's success in reducing poverty and improving welfare contributed to the overwhelming victory of Claudia Schoenbaum in the Mexican elections.
AMLO's economic policies blend orthodoxy with populist results, focusing on cash transfer programs and workers' rights improvements, leading to a significant decrease in poverty.
Deep dives
Landmark Victory for Claudia Schoenbaum in Mexican Election
In the recent Mexican elections, Claudia Schoenbaum won by a landslide with nearly 60% of the vote, succeeding the popular AMLO. The victory was attributed to AMLO's success in reducing poverty and improving the welfare of the working class. The election results also gave AMLO's party, Morena, a significant majority in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
Economic Policies and Populism Under AMLO's Administration
AMLO's economic policies blend orthodoxy with populist results, focusing on cash transfer programs and workers' rights improvements. These initiatives led to a considerable decrease in poverty, particularly benefitting the working poor. Additionally, the government's emphasis on developmental projects and public works has directly impacted the economy by benefiting the lower-income segments.
AMLO's Approach to Neoliberalism and State Reformation
AMLO's governance challenges the traditional view of neoliberalism, focusing on reclaiming state capacity from private interests through anti-corruption measures. By reshaping the discourse and policies, AMLO aims to rebuild state legitimacy and change public perceptions, contributing to a shift away from neoliberal ideologies.
Shift in Middle Class Support Towards Working Class Coalition
In the recent election, Claudia Schoenbaum's overwhelming victory united sectors of the middle class with the working class, maintaining a focus on AMLO's policies rather than shifting rightward. This coalition, predominantly rooted in the working class, demonstrates a balance between economic priorities and middle class concerns, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Mexico.
Edwin Ackerman, who wrote a recent piece for NLR Sidecar, reviews the Mexican elections and the reasons for AMLO’s immense popularity. Joel Whitney, author of the book Flights, talks about radical and revolutionaries’ battles with the CIA.
Behind the News, hosted by Doug Henwood, covers the worlds of economics and politics and their complex interactions, from the local to the global. Find the archive online: https://www.leftbusinessobserver.com/radio.html
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