Struggle for Indigenous Rights in Latin America

by Grey Postero, Nancy

• ISBN13: 9781845190064
• ISBN10: 1845190068
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-09-01
• Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Summary

This book examines the struggle for indigenous rights in eight Latin American countries. Initial studies of indigenous movements celebrated the return of the Indians as relevant political actors, often approaching their struggles as expressions of a common, generic agenda. This collection moves the debate forward by acknowledging the extraordinary diversity among the movements' composition, goals, and strategies. The case studies examine the ways in which the Indian question arises in each country, with reference to the protagonism of indigenous movements in the context of the threats and opportunities posed by neoliberal policies. The complexities posed by the varying demographic weight of indigenous populations, the interrelation of class and ethnicity, and the interplay between indigenous and popular struggles are discussed. The volume concludes that the Indian struggles are having a direct impact on the character of democracy, and in the process contribute to the redefinition of Latin American societies as multicultural.

Author Biography

Nancy Postero is Assistant Professor in the Anthropology Department at the University of California, San Diego Leon Zamosc is Associate Professor of Sociology and Academic Director of Latin American Studies at the University of California, San Diego Gunther Dietz is Professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Granada (Spain) Edward F. Fischer is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for Latin American and Iberian Studies at Vanderbilt University Theodor Rathgeber is Associate Professor of Political and Applied Social Sciences at Kassel University (Germany) Maria Elena Garcia is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Sarah Lawrence College Jose Antonio Lucero is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Temple University Jonathan Warren is the Director of Latin American Studies in The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington in Seattle

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments	vii
Indigenous Movements and the Indian Question in Latin America	1	(31)
Nancy Postero
Leon Zamosc
From Indigenismo to Zapatismo: The Struggle for a Multi-ethnic Mexican Society	32	(49)
Gunther Dietz
Beyond Victimization: Maya Movements in Post-war Guatemala	81	(24)
Edward Fischer
Indigenous Struggles in Colombia: Historical Changes and Perspectives	105	(26)
Theodor Rathgeber
The Indian Movement in Ecuador: from Politics of Influence to Politics of Power	131	(27)
Leon Zamosc
Un Pais Sin Indigenas?: Re-thinking Indigenous Politics in Peru	158	(31)
Maria Elena Garcia
Jose Antonio Lucero
Articulations and Fragmentations: Indigenous Politics in Bolivia	189	(28)
Nancy Postero
Socialist Saudades: Lula's Victory, Indigenous Movements, and the Latin American Left	217	(15)
Jonathan Warren
The Contributors	232	(2)
Index	234