Partners - Latin America

Overview of the region

Latin America presents significant challenges to the study of ethnicity, conflict and horizontal inequalities. In Latin America, where conflicts emerge, they are not evidently between ethnic groups. Yet horizontal inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous groups are clearly present throughout the continent and have been enduring since the colonisation of the Americas by Spain in the 15th century. Understanding the persistent nature of horizontal inequalities and their complex relations with conflict and political instability forms the core of CRISE research in Latin America.

Our three case studies, Peru, Bolivia and Guatemala, relate the contrasting stories of the Latin American countries with the highest proportion of indigenous people as a percentage of total population (Yashar 2005). Serious violent conflict that incorporated and/or affected indigenous people took place in Peru (1980-1992) and Guatemala (1978-1985). Bolivia is the poorest, most politically unstable of the three countries and has much more prominent ethnic politics than Peru or Guatemala. Yet, so far, Bolivia has not experienced the descent into political violence observable in our other case studies.

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Research themes

As elsewhere in CRISE, research takes place in conjunction with partners and partner institutions in the relevant countries and around a number of key themes:

History and the persistence of horizontal inequalities

The CRISE Latin America team has adopted a long-term, historical approach to the questions of ethnicity, conflict and horizontal inequalities. From the colonial period, the political economies of the various regions and countries have been different (notably with regard to the importance of the mining sector in the Andes). Identifying the historical legacies that still echo today and contribute to explaining the differing paths and experiences across our case studies is central to our work. In addition, a central objective of our research is to understand why horizontal inequalities persist over time to such an extent in our three case studies.

Ethnicity, boundaries and identities in Latin America

Since the inception of our research, it has been evident that the notion of fluidity of identity is important in Latin America. As is common elsewhere in the world, group boundaries can and do change over time. However, fluidity between groups is perhaps particularly pronounced in the region due to the prominence of mestizo categories. One key question is whether this fluidity between indigenous and non-indigenous categories diminishes the likelihood of ethnic mobilisation or demands. Understanding the historic construction of the various key categories (and the role of the state in their formation) and contrasting their relevance today across our case studies forms an important part of our research. In addition, some of the research focuses on the existence and importance of non-ethnic identities.

Social stratification

We are producing in-depth studies of social stratification in each country, along ethnic and gender lines and, whenever data permits, across time. These studies, which focus on income distribution and the labour market, enrich our knowledge and understanding of socioeconomic horizontal inequalities. In addition, our social stratification work details inequalities both between and within groups. Finally, the general production of quantitative data is being complemented and refined by qualitative work (in-depth interviews) with key actors (indigenous and non indigenous elites).

Cultural rights

The examination of cultural rights is being undertaken systematically across our countries, evaluating key data and information (status of indigenous languages, existence of public holidays, degree of recognition of indigenous culture and history in curriculum and wider public life). Over the past 20 twenty years, there has been increased official recognition of the importance of such cultural rights and notable changes in the adoption of discourses that purport to promote multiculturalism. Evaluating the depth of this apparent sea change in attitudes forms an important part of our research.

Education

Education is a central concern of CRISE research in general. In Latin America, a lack of access to education has long been central to the processes of exclusion of indigenous people and in the reproduction of inequalities (with deeply negative socioeconomic, political and cultural consequences). Education is potentially a key remedial measure for the reduction of horizontal inequalities, but preliminary research in Peru points towards the fact that without due consideration to issues of quality, increased access to education alone is unlikely to have any lasting impact upon horizontal inequalities. This preliminary research is being replicated and explored further across our three case studies.

Security forces, ethnicity and conflict

It is evident that security forces play an important role in the management of ethnic diversity and conflict. We have opted to focus our research on three distinct avenues of inquiry. First, we are contrasting the political roles played by security forces (police forces and the military) in our three case studies. Second, we are exploring and trying to understand the very different ways in which security forces manage the use of force in each of our countries. Finally, we are examining the history of the relationship of the security forces with indigenous people, both within the rank of the armed forces and in the wider society.

Violence, conflict and guerrillas

The experiences of armed conflict in Guatemala and Peru were very distinct, notably in terms of its length, intensity and geographical spread. We are recording the key points in which the conflicts coincided and differed, weighing out the very distinct legacies for each country. One key aspect of this work is to record the relationship between guerrilla organisations and indigenous people, which took a particularly violent form in Peru, but not in Guatemala. One important element of the research here is to try to establish a general profile of the background and motives of guerrilla combatants in Peru and, if data permits, in Guatemala.

CRISE Latin America comprises a network of young and experienced researchers from the three countries who are all known for the quality of their work. Most social science disciplines are represented in our research, including economics, anthropology, history, sociology and political science. Some of the key research in progress is listed below and is scheduled to be completed in 2007.

Peru

Partner Instution:
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales

Coordinators: Adolfo Figueroa, Ismael Muñoz

Invidual projects:

Andrea Portugal

Profile and motives of the Senderistas

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Bolivia