The New Left in Latin America and the Caribbean has not only come into being, but has also survived because of manifest failures of the ruling class in several countries. Its legitimacy has been reaffi rmed through democratic elections. Strong management of natural resources, generous social and redistributive programmes, tight political control over the party apparatus as well as over the military establishment, have ensured longevity. Traditional patterns of economic collaboration have been successfully challenged by these leaders, and efforts to dislodge or discredit them have not met with great success.