Del socialismo del siglo xix a la propuesta de un socialismo para el siglo xxi

the recent surge of the left in latin america has brought back the theme of building socialism to the research agenda. the extent and seriousness of social problems generated by the prevailing capitalist mode of production, the negative consequences of the introduction of overly optimistic economic policies in promoting market expansion, the instability of democratic systems and a surge of popular movements in the last decades of the century constitute the context of this debate. faced with these issues, socialism is an option for achieving greater social justice, although still vague. there are many justifiable reasons to any effort to clarify the scope of socialism as a viable political project at the beginning of the twenty-first century. thus, the following notes are intended to serve as a modest contribution to this debate, making an overhaul, from a family perspective to the science and political economy, of the progress of the leftist references in latin america, as well as evaluating the historical experience of real socialism, especially its impact on democracy and efficiency within the society.