HOPES AND PROSPECTS

The Americas, both North and South, have been in motion with elections and political shifts that Noam Chomsky explores here with his characteristic independence and insight. "Popular activism has repeatedly brought about substantial gains in freedom and justice," he writes. "The authentic hope of the Obama campaign is that the 'grass roots army' organized to take instructions from the leader might 'break free' and return to 'old ways of doing politics,' by direct participation in action." In Latin America, Bolivia and Haiti in particular, Chomsky shows how direct participation in action has put into practice a different model of democracy. We have much to learn from these struggles, which could portend more far-reaching, badly needed changes.