Latin America has experienced a profound transformation in the first two decades of the 21st century: it has been fully incorporated into the global economy, while excluding regions and populations devalued by the logic of capitalism. Technological modernization has gone hand-in-hand with the reshaping of old identities and the emergence of new ones.

The transformation of Latin America has been shaped by social movements and political conflicts. The neoliberal model that dominated the first stage of the transformation induced widespread inequality and poverty, and triggered social explosions that led to its own collapse. A new model, neo-developmentalism, emerged from these crises as national populist movements were elected to government in several countries. The more the state intervened in the economy, the more it became vulnerable to corruption, until the rampant criminal economy came to penetrate state institutions. Upper middle classes defending their privileges and citizens indignant because of corruption of the political elites revolted against the new regimes, undermining the model of neo-developmentalism. In the midst of political disaffection and public despair, new social movements, women, youth, indigenous people, workers, peasants, opened up avenues of hope against the background of darkness invading the continent.

This book, written by two leading scholars of Latin America, provides a comprehensive and up-do-date account of the new Latin America that is in the process of taking shape today. It will be an indispensable text for students and scholars in Latin American Studies, sociology, politics and media and communication studies, and anyone interested in Latin America today.
Reviews

"[A] structural analysis of contemporary Latin America worthy of consideration and scholarly debate."
Social Forces

"the book provides a comprehensive overview of the region and the challenges it faces today. ... this book will be of great interest not only to sociologists but also to any person interested in acquiring a comprehensive insight into the region's dynamics. Specialists seeking to situate their research topics in broader disciplinary and geographic perspectives will also benefit from it. ...the reader will find this book highly relevant and timely"
Omar Manky, Bulletin of Latin American Research

"This kaleidoscopic work by two renowned sociologists surveys the rapidly shifting political and social terrain of Latin America in the 21st century. Highlighting the importance of social movements and new forms of identity, technological change, environmental and climate concerns, and state corruption, Calderon and Castells tour the region to produce a comprehensive picture of the challenges Latin American societies face today."
Christy Thornton, Bulletin of Latin American Research

Book Information
ISBN 9781509540020
Author Fernando Calderon
Format Paperback
Page Count 242
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 408g
Dimensions(mm) 226mm * 150mm * 20mm