The right in Latin America : elite power hegemony and the struggle for the state Introduction : the right in Latin America : elite power hegemony and the struggle for the state Understanding the Latin American right : powerful elites and weak states Right wing policy discourse in left led Latin America Neoliberalism in power : right oriented state society complexes in Chile Colombia Mexico and Peru The shifting sands of power in pink tide Latin America : post neoliberalism and the threat from the left Coups smart coups and elections : right power strategies under left led governments Conclusion : right strategies and left responses