Although the results of Latin American peasant movements appeared particularly impressive in the 1960s and the 1970S, the end of the decade witnessed the progressive repression of the major movements on the continent. Latin American peasant movements, thus, have to be understood in terms of their conditions, their accomplishments in terms of potential class emancipation, and alternative outcomes such as repression, reform, and co-optation.

The essays in this collection examine agrarian transformation in Latin America and the role in this of peasants, with particular reference to Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Brazil and Central America. Among the issues covered are the impact of globalization and neo-liberal economic policies.

Study of the political behaviour of rural workers and tenant farmers in Latin America, with particular reference to the evolution of peasant movements and their prospects for effecting social change - includes a bibliography pp. 163 to 173.