ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how social mobilisations between 2019 and 2021 in the Andean region influenced state forms in the context of COVID-19 emergency policies. The social mobilisations were inspired by specific issues derived from national and local policy decisions but shared transversal claims associated with the deepening of neoliberal rationality and threats to liberal democracy. Social mobilisations in the region followed different paths and their achievements range from creating opportunities for institutional transformation to opening debates around relevant affairs such as political participation and economic reforms, including the possibility of ideological shifts inside national governments through electoral processes. To address this argument, the chapter proposes a theoretical framework based on Robert Cox’s contributions and some key concepts from social movement theories that allow one to describe the social mobilisations that took place in the Andean region, as well as to identify the different paths of these mobilisations. The study of these elements contributes to discussions on the possible effects of social mobilisation on regional politics, leading to the conclusion that it is important to integrate social mobilisations as a key factor in the analysis of regional integration and cooperation.
