ABSTRACT
In surveying the impact of neoliberalism in Latin America as we inch anxiously into the twenty-first century, it is not difficult to find educational and social programs and practices to be critical about. Skepticism and disdain are easy. The challenge of finding a coherent political, theoretical, or ethical base from which to develop purposive critiques and alternative plans of action is not so easy. For those committed to the ideals of fairness and equality of social and civil rights as the bases of a substantive democracy, critique and innovation are even more difficult. Neoliberalism stands, as we suggest in this introduction, as an ideology without ideology, beyond politics. Part of its success is that it evades and eschews the conflicts and disputes that arise around struggles for social justice. Rather it promises “a better life” by releasing individuals to do what they do best. It offers betterment, in a sense, without effort, as a side effect. Against this the plans, interventions, and bureaucracy of social democracy look out-moded. It is increasingly difficult to find “another place” from which to be heard. Thus, like many others, we start with critique-but in this volume as a whole, we also offer evaluation and some possibilities for hope.
