Latin America in Transition: The Influence of Culture on Ecology, Power, and Diversity

by Sheldon Smith

Overview

This book relies on a global studies (interdisciplinary) paradigm to study the basic transitions through which Latin America has gone over the last millennium. The global studies approach relies on an understanding of the distinct transitions through which cultures of Latin America have passed as they have adapted to global economic and political forces since the Sixteenth Century. Unlike dependency or world systems theories, a global studies paradigm does not accept the idea that cultures and peoples are passive to globalization or capitalism. This work shows that Latin American institutions can only be understood as embedded in Latin American culture, which is a product of history and adaptation, and has interacted with quite distinct global systems for the last five centuries. The book presents the case that, until very recently, the economic institutions of Latin America were not capitalistic, but either mercantilist or corporatist. Only since 1985 have Latin American countries adopted capitalism and democracy, and these have not been a failure. While this book stresses political and economic analyses, it also examines the impact of corporatism (state capitalism) on ecosystems, demographics, social systems, and cultural forms. The book is a largely upbeat and positive examination of the new phenomenon of globalization in Latin America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761824619
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	02/13/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	490
Product dimensions:	5.42(w) x 8.48(h) x 1.48(d)

About the Author

Sheldon Smith is Professor of Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgements and Dedication Chapter 3 Maps of Latin America Chapter 4 The Influence of Culture on Ecology, Power, and Diversity Chapter 5 Prehistoric Mesoamerica and the Andes Chapter 6 Conquest and Colonialism: Cultures of Power Chapter 7 Political Cultures of the Core: Export Economics and State Capitalism Chapter 8 Culture as Diversity Chapter 9 Culture as Ecology Chapter 10 Globalization and the Collapse of State Capitalism in Mexico Chapter 11 Central America and the Caribbean Chapter 12 Caribbean/Andean North Chapter 13 The Andean Highlands Chapter 14 The Southern Cone and Tropical East Chapter 15 Bibliography Chapter 16 Index