After the completion of the cycle of structural adjustment and pro-market state reforms with neoliberal cut-off in the 1990s, a new stage has begun in Latin America. Already in the context of globalisation, classic problems such as development, dependence and the role of the national state become applicable again in theory and practice. On these pages, we look at a very rich critical tradition, ranging from the vision of the development of ECLAC to the ‘theory of dependence’ — including contributions from Marxist and Neo-Marginal authors — which has made an important contribution to analysing the limits and possibilities of nation state to establish a space of autonomy from global capitalism. We will then see how old debates are entering today with new political configurations and experiences in various countries in the region and reintroduce existing issues such as development and dependence on the agenda.