Across South America from 1999 to about 2015 vibrant social movements resisting neoliberalism brought to power left-leaning presidents who pursued more inclusive democratic systems, expanded social programs, and elevated the state’s role in the economy. The results of that era are varied: we see more inclusive politics and a notable reduction of poverty and inequality, alongside social movement cooptation, a resurgence of corruption, and, in Venezuela, a profound economic and political crisis. This symposium brings leading analysts of Bolivia and Venezuela to discuss these contemporary social and political changes.