From Revolution to Power in Brazil: How Radical Leftists Embraced Capitalism and Struggled with Leadership

Kenneth Serbin's book explores how radical leftists in Brazil embraced capitalism and struggled with leadership after suffering torture and military defeat under the dictatorship that took control with the support of the United States in 1964. It examines Brazil's status as an emerging global capitalist giant and its unique contributions and challenges in the social arena. The book concludes with the rise of ex-militants to positions of power in a capitalist democracy and how they confronted both old and new challenges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 462 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

From Revolution to Power in Brazil: How Radical Leftists Embraced Capitalism and Struggled with Leadership delves into the complexities of terrorism from a fresh perspective. Kenneth Serbin paints a vivid portrait of a generation of Brazilian resistance fighters and militants who battled against the oppressive dictatorship that seized power with the backing of the United States in 1964, ultimately relinquishing control in 1985.

Based on extensive research spanning two decades and more than three hundred hours of in-depth interviews with former members of the revolutionary organization National Liberating Action, Serbin's work stands as the first comprehensive account of Brazil's protracted period of dictatorship. It explores Brazil's emergence as a formidable global capitalist power and delves into its distinctive contributions and complexities within the social realm.

The book concludes by examining the ascent of former militants to positions of power within a capitalist democracy, highlighting the challenges they faced both from the past and the present. Serbin also delves into the profound human dilemmas surrounding the opposition of dictatorships, the revival of politics in the aftermath of severe repression, the promotion of democracy as a value, and the effective management of a capitalist system.

This book holds significant appeal to business professionals, journalists, policy analysts, and readers with a general interest in Latin America and international affairs.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268105860