12

This issue tackles two central concerns surrounding the reconfiguration of formerly activism in recent Latin American history. It considers the political transformation of former activists and the networks and routes used to transform themselves, through the notion of reconversion, and their relationship to shifting access to the state. It also uses case studies to reflect on the reconfiguration of activism in societies that have undergone substantial neoliberal reforms. As individual activists move from volunteering or voluntary political association –such as activism in political parties, local community organizations, various types of social movements and organizations– to professional political activity, this issue argues that they must inherently go through a process of adaptation. An empirical analysis of these conversions captures more nuanced and profound changes regarding the place of activism in Latin American societies in recent decades, the opening of new spaces for the “left” and for emerging social movements, and the partisan reorganization of actors from various political and social groups.