winter 2011 | volume xlii | issue 1 in this issue
Debates The Road to Same-Sex Marriage in Mexico City by Rafael de la Dehesa Ni más ni menos. Los mismos derechos, con los mismos nombres por Esteban Paulón Nuevos derechos para LGBT en Argentina y Brasil por Horacio Sívori
On LARR Living in Actually Existing Democracies An Introduction to LARR Volume 45, Special Issue, 2010 by Philip Oxhorn and Nancy Postero President Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida, Universidade de São Paulo [email protected]
Vice President Evelyne Huber, University of North Carolina
Past President John Coatsworth, Columbia University Table of Contents Treasurer Cristina Eguizábal, Florida International University
Executive Council by Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida 1 From the President | For term ending April 2012 Roberto Blancarte, Colegio de México debates Gwen Kirkpatrick, Georgetown University Kimberly Theidon, Harvard University
2 The Road to Same-Sex Marriage in Mexico City | by Rafael de la Dehesa For term ending October 2013: Rosalva Aída Hernández Castillo, Centro de Investigaciones 5 Ni más ni menos. Los mismos derechos, con los mismos nombres y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social por Esteban Paulón Maxine Molyneux, University of London Gioconda Herrera, FLACSO/Ecuador 7 Nuevos derechos para LGBT en Argentina y Brasil | por Horacio Sívori Ex Officio Gabriela Novzeilies, Princeton University on larr Timothy J. Power, University of Oxford Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, University of Pittsburgh Philip Oxhorn, McGill University 11 Living in Actually Existing Democracies: An Introduction to LARR Volume 45, Special Issue, 2010 | by Philip Oxhorn and Nancy Postero Forum Editorial Committee
Editor Calling all members Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida, Universidade de São Paulo
20 Nominations Invited: Bryce Wood Book Award; Premio Iberoamericano Book Managing Editor Award; LASA Media Award; LASA/Oxfam America Martin Diskin Memorial Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, University of Pittsburgh Lectureship; LASA/Oxfam America Martin Diskin Dissertation Award Forum Editorial Advisory Committee 24 Luciano Tomassini Latin American International Relations Award Carlos Ivan Degregori, Instituto de Estudios Peruanos Katherine Hite, Vassar College Hilda Sábato, Universidad de Buenos Aires News from Lasa LASA Staff 25 LASA2010 Survey Report | by Milagros Pereyra-Rojas Membership Coordinator 26 LASA Voluntary Support | by Sandy Klinzing María Soledad Cabezas, University of Pittsburgh Congress Coordinator on lasa2012 Melissa A. Raslevich, University of Pittsburgh Assistant Director for Institutional Advancement 30 From Toronto to San Francisco: Looking Ahead to LASA2012 Sandra Klinzing, University of Pittsburgh by Gabriela Nouzeilles and Timothy J. Power Communications Specialist Ryan Lincoln, University of Pittsburgh
lasa Sections Executive Director Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, University of Pittsburgh 32 Section Reports Administrative Coordinator Israel R. Perlov, University of Pittsburgh 46 Section News
The LASA Forum is published four times a year. It is the official vehicle for conveying news about the Latin American Studies Association to its members. Articles appearing in the On the Profession and Debates sections of the Forum are commissioned by the Editorial Committee and deal with selected themes. The Committee welcomes responses to any material published in the Forum.
Opinions expressed herein are those of individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Latin American Studies Association or its officers.
ISSN 0890-7218 President’s Report by Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida | Universidade de São Paulo | [email protected]
Some thirty years ago, it was far from societal changes that go far beyond the certain that democracy would replace acceptance of the democratic rules of authoritarianism in Latin America. political exchange, since they suppose the O`Donnell, Schmitter and Whitehead´s transformation of the core values, beliefs seminal study, published in 1986, was and behaviors that have sustained cautiously named “Transitions from patriarchal conservatism in Latin America. Authoritarian Rule,” a title implying that the This is because, in fact, it is a specific The quality of these three contributions crisis of authoritarian rule could be resolved idea—and a specific ideal—of family that is should certainly help compensate for in a number of different ways. Political at stake. These developments also expose the absence in this issue of the section democracy, that is, was only one of the not only the resistance of traditional On the Profession. It will be back in our possible outcomes of the transition from the conservative elites, both secular and Spring issue. crisis of Latin American autocracies, the religious, but also the internecine others being totalitarian forms of socialism contradictions of progressive political forces, or reversion to dictatorship. Indeed, the such as left-wing parties and progressive LASA2012 region’s past experience of democracy’s branches of the Catholic Church, which, in frailty and political instability, especially several countries, played an important role Preparations for the LASA 2012 during the Cold War period, endorsed a in the resistance against authoritarian International Congress in San Francisco are prudent attitude regarding the political regimes. gaining momentum under the leadership of prospects for Latin American countries. chairs Timothy Power and Gabriela The three articles we publish here disclose Nouzeilles, who have selected a host of But against all odds, democracy prevailed. the complexity of the process through which committed track chairs. You will find all the Free and fair elections, allowing for the the very model of family is being information you need to participate on the shifting of groups in power, have become transformed. They are as informative as they LASA Website:
1 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1 debates
The Road to Same-Sex Marriage in Mexico City by Rafael de la Dehesa | CUNY-College of Staten Island | [email protected]
On December 21, 2009, Mexico City Transformations on the Left federal congress, marking the movement’s legalized same-sex marriage. By a vote of electoral debut. In recent elections, a series thirty-nine to twenty in the Legislative Same-sex marriage was ultimately passed in of smaller parties on the left have made Assembly of the Federal District (ALDF), Mexico City by a coalition on the left that feminism and sexual diversity a centerpiece with five abstentions, a center-left coalition united the PRD, with an absolute majority in of their campaigns, all short-lived led by the Party of the Democratic the ALDF, and the small Workers Party (PT). expressions of alliances articulated originally Revolution (PRD) overcame opposition to This disciplined backing of same-sex around the feminist political association the bill spearheaded by the conservative marriage was particularly striking given the Diversa, founded by Patricia Mercado, a National Action Party (PAN) of President less-than-forthcoming support demonstrated former head of the PRT women’s section, Felipe Calderón. The erstwhile hegemonic by the PRD in earlier debates on and herself a presidential candidate in 2006. Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) split, cohabitation societies. On the earlier bill, It was through the first incarnation of these with two lawmakers opposing the bill and PRD lawmakers blocked a vote on more alliances, the Social Democracy Party, that five abstaining. In a separate, narrower vote, than one occasion by leaving the assembly to the lesbian activist Enoé Uranga was elected lawmakers also defeated an amendment to deprive it of a quorum; and in 2003, PRD to the ALDF in 2000, introducing the bill on the bill that would have eliminated same-sex mayor and presidential hopeful Andrés cohabitation societies the following year. couples’ right to adopt children, thus Manuel López Obrador stepped directly into And in 2009, Deputy David Razú, the ensuring the full gender neutrality of the fray, arguing that the matter was too author of the marriage bill, was elected to marriage. Final say on the matter did not important for the legislature and should the ALDF as a member of the recently rest with the legislature. Within weeks, the instead be put to a popular referendum, in created Social Democratic Party. After that federal Attorney General’s office and several what was clearly an effort to derail the bill election, the PRD cobbled together an state governments challenged the behind the public face of participatory absolute majority in the new legislature by constitutionality of the measure, but in a democracy. Several factors contributed to wooing four deputies, including Razú, to its series of rulings this past August, Mexico’s the consolidation of the party’s support on ranks. In the course of these negotiations, Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality the matter, most notably the absence of the Razú was able to ensure not only the of the law, the right of same-sex couples to electoral calculations that preceded the 2006 priority of the marriage bill but also the adopt, and the validity of marriages election (shortly after which lawmakers disciplined support of his new party, crucial contracted in Mexico City in other states. finally approved cohabitation societies). The to its passage. This victory was but the latest chapter in new mayor of Mexico City, Marcelo Ebrard, ongoing efforts by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, elected that year, has also been more and transgender (LGBT) movement to forthcoming in his support for the law and Broadening the Debate: Sexual and obtain the legal recognition of same-sex for LGBT rights more generally, for instance, Family Diversity couples. In 2006, after six years of creating a Program on Sexual Diversity in protracted debate, the ALDF approved a bill the city government in 2007. Another critical factor in advancing these creating cohabitation societies, granting efforts has been the ability of the LGBT limited rights to same-sex couples, followed As much as any shift within the PRD, movement to establish alliances with other within weeks by the passage of a law however, the approval of same-sex marriage actors in civil society, particularly feminists, creating solidarity pacts in the northern state also speaks to the ongoing importance of through coalitional networks. Along these of Coahuila and the introduction of similar small left parties in advancing the LGBT lines, activists organized the Citizens proposals in at least five other states. This movement’s political demands. The Cohabitation Societies Network and the article explores some of the conditions that movement’s reliance on such parties dates Network of the Society United for the Right permitted advances in same-sex partnership back to the Rosario Ibarra Lesbian and to Same-Sex Marriage, both including over rights in the Mexican capital. Homosexual Support Committee (CLHARI) 200 organizations in support of the in 1982, which backed the presidential respective laws. These networks have deep candidacy of human rights activist Rosario roots, reflecting a long history of activists Ibarra, then of the Trotskyist Revolutionary pooling forces on the margins of the Workers Party (PRT), and supported the first PRI-dominated party system, and have been openly gay and lesbian candidates to the particularly important given the historic
2 reluctance even of the movement’s purported Unlike what occurred in Europe … what tendency of multicultural celebrations of allies on the left to take up its demands. we decided in Mexico—because official diversity to flatten identity categories and Such coalitional politics has encompassed figures in Mexico recognize this broad reduce social inequality to cultural not only activist networks and declarations array of households that aren’t structured difference. of support but also the principal themes around marriage—is that it’s absurd for used to frame LGBT rights in public debate. the welfare state to operate only through The theme of diversity, in particular, has marriage. So the first proposal was Defending the Secular State been key. Indeed, in some sense it heralded divided into two rubrics: couples and the movement’s legislative turn, broadly extended families, households with more The PAN’s adamant opposition to same-sex embraced following the First Forum on than two. We had to remove this section partnership rights reflects the party’s roots in Sexual Diversity and Human Rights with “more than two” because it was lay religious organizations and its important organized in the ALDF in 1998, an event impossible to desexualize the topic. Any Catholic base. This said, the fact that that marked a turning point in the time we spoke of “more than two,” they panistas routinely appealed to diversity and relationship between activists and imagined ménage, and they couldn’t see human rights in framing their opposition legislatures. the networks of women living together, also speaks to the hegemonic weight of elderly people living together—that was laicism in shaping the broader terms of According to Mexico’s National Population very difficult.2 political debate. In a 2003 report, the UN Council, over 30 percent of households in High Commissioner on Human Rights the country are not composed of nuclear Mexico is perhaps unique in the way debates underscored its importance: “The greatest families; 20 percent are headed by women, a on same-sex partnership rights initially concerns expressed [by representatives of figure that has doubled in the last three opened room for discussions on a much civil society] concerned the enforcement and decades; and over two million people in the broader array of household formations. The preservation of the lay state, which has been country live in so-called “non-familial” elimination of the stipulation is worth noting fundamental for the advances attained by households, either living alone or in because, among other reasons, it points to Mexican women in the areas of sexual and households whose members are unrelated by the limits of diversity as instantiated in law reproductive rights; of their right to a free, blood or marriage.1 Such figures were and to the constitutive exclusions that have lay, and compulsory education; of the right routinely cited by advocates of same-sex paved to road to marriage. to work, equal liberties, and family rights; partnership rights to displace the idealized and to a life without violence.”3 Given the notion of the traditional nuclear family with In the debates on same-sex marriage, some historic weight of conflicts between church an acknowledgment of this much more of the pitfalls of the discourse of diversity and state in the country, it is not surprising heterogeneous terrain. Indeed, reflecting the also became evident, being deployed not that the defense of the secular state is a important role played by lesbian feminists in only by proponents, but also by opponents particularly resonant frame of public early discussions on cohabitation societies, of the measure. Appropriated by the right, discourse. Strategically, moreover, not only the initial proposal sought to recognize a panista lawmakers repeatedly argued that does it reinforce the kind of coalitional broad array of domestic arrangements and marriage’s privileging of heterosexuality was politics noted above, uniting sexual and affective ties in ways that de-linked not discriminatory. Rather, pointing to reproductive rights advocates; it also finds cohabitation from sexuality and cohabitation societies (which the party had resonance among potential political allies, reproduction and extended beyond the also opposed), they contended that different particularly in the PRD and sectors of the conjugal couple. To this end, the proposal groups simply required different institutions, PRI. Its hegemonic weight in public initially included a second category of grounding this “diversity” in a presumed discourse was clearly demonstrated when, “extended families,” allowing more than two heterosexual monopoly on reproduction. following the Supreme Court rulings, people to enter a cohabitation society and This “different strokes for different folks” Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez of access the rights it conferred, though the argument was later reiterated by the Guadalajara referred to the decisions as an stipulation was dropped in negotiations with Attorney General in his judicial challenge to act of treason and suggested the justices had the PRI, as the bill’s author recalled: the constitutionality of the law. While been bribed by Mexico City’s mayor, ultimately unsuccessful, the argument Marcelo Ebrard. The response by various nonetheless reflects the not uncommon actors uniformly reaffirmed the secular
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character of the Mexican state. Beyond the comfortable socioeconomic standing, those public outcry by activists, the court informed enough to “exercise their rights,” unanimously voted to censure the prelate, implying that over time, law would translate and the mayor filed formal charges against into norm.5 Whether this will happen him for slander. By acting as secular remains an open question. watchdogs in this way, coalitions of activists and political allies have been able to shape the terms of debate in ways that arguably Endnotes leave their opponents on weaker ground. 1 Mario Luis Fuentes, “Los Hogares: Cambio Acelerado,” Excélsior, May 20, 2008. Defending the marriage bill in the ALDF, PRD Deputy Víctor Hugo Romo Guerra 2 Interview. Enoé Uranga, former Deputy in the inscribed same-sex marriage within a ALDF and author of the Cohabitation broader modernist narrative predicting a Societies Law, Mexico City, August 7, 2008. gradual progression toward the 3 universalization of law. “For centuries,” he Miriam Ruiz. “Hay retrocesos en derechos humanos, advierte ONU a Fox.” CIMAC. argued, “unjust laws prohibited marriages December 8, 2003. between whites and blacks or Indians and Europeans; love of the foreigner, of the 4 Versión estenográfica de la sesión ordinaria different, was banned. Today, however, all celebrada el día 21 de diciembre de 2009. these barriers have disappeared. The only Asamblea Legislativa del Distrito Federal – V one remaining is the one that we propose Legislatura, Estenografía parlamentaria, p. 21. to end.”4 The law’s passage, again, gives 5 Christian Rea Tizcareño, “Se han efectuado impetus to ongoing efforts to achieve formal 168 matrimonios homosexuales y 736 equality. Since its approval, activists have sociedades de convivencia, informa Registro turned their attention to the federal level. In Civil” Notiese, May 28, 2010
4 debates
Ni más ni menos. Los mismos derechos, con los mismos nombres por Esteban Paulón | Federación Argentina de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y Trans | [email protected]
“Sintiéndose fuertemente atraídas una por la Esa memoria histórica y cultural tuvo un camino que comenzó luchando por el otra, dos personas comienzan a salir juntas y peso fundamental para las y los integrantes reconocimiento legal de nuestras deciden conformar un hogar. Luego de ser de la Corte sudafricana al momento de organizaciones hasta la igualdad plena para reconocidas por sus amistades como pareja emitir el dictamen que decidiría sobre la nuestras familias. Mirando en perspectiva, por más de una década deciden buscar legalidad del matrimonio a las parejas del treinta años de movimiento LGBT parecen reconocimiento y protección legal para su mismo sexo. Y el mensaje de la Corte un siglo, y esto se explica por el vertiginoso relación, y formalmente abrazar los derechos Constitucional fue contundente: en crecimiento e instalación de las demandas de y responsabilidades que decidieron adoptar Sudáfrica, Apartheid nunca más. Esta lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y trans y la y ajustarse a ellos. Como muchas personas historia, que se parece tanto y se parece tan enorme posibilidad de construir un consenso en esa situación, decidieron casarse. Solo poco a nuestra propia historia, parece social y político tan amplio como había un impedimento. Eran dos mujeres.” marcar el camino que debimos recorrer las contundente. organizaciones que formamos parte del Con este simple y contundente párrafo, movimiento reivindicativo de los derechos Tras algunos intentos por parte de diversas inicia la fundamentación de su voto la de lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y trans organizaciones para impulsar una legislación integrante de la Corte Constitucional (travestis, transexuales y transgéneros) en de Unión Civil nacional en Argentina, el sudafricana J. Sachs, en el caso de Marie Argentina. movimiento por el derecho a matrimonio Adrianne Fourie y Cecilia Johanna para todas y todos propiamente nació en Bonthuys, quienes por medio de su demanda Así transitó nuestro reclamo, desde la nuestro país junto a la conformación de la ante esa institución abrieron la puerta para persecución, la violencia y la discriminación Federación Argentina de lesbianas, gays, que el Parlamento sudafricano modificara el más abierta, al amplio consenso social y bisexuales y trans (FALGBT), que se planteó Código Civil y permitiera, como lo exigió el político que permitió que nuestro país sea el en un inicio como una plataforma necesaria máximo tribunal, el matrimonio a parejas primero en Latinoamérica en permitir el e indispensable para lograr una serie de conformadas por personas del mismo sexo. matrimonio entre las parejas conformadas reivindicaciones impostergables para las por personas del mismo sexo en igualdad de personas de orientación sexual e identidad Y es interesante poder aportar al debate condiciones que entre las parejas de género diferente a la heterosexual. acerca de la posibilidad de permitir los heterosexuales. matrimonios a las parejas de la diversidad Entre ellas, además del matrimonio sexual la perspectiva sudafricana, por el Tan cerca y tan lejos aparecen esas escenas igualitario, se destacaban —y destacan con significado político y simbólico que tiene. del pasado, esos 400 lesbianas, gays, plena vigencia— la Ley de Identidad de Sudáfrica padeció durante décadas uno de bisexuales y trans detenidos/desaparecidos Género para reconocer el derecho identitario los más feroces regímenes de segregación y durante la última dictadura militar en de travestis, transexuales y transgéneros, una discriminación racial de que se tenga idea, el Argentina. Tan cerca y tan lejos aparece la modificación a la Ley Antidiscriminatoria a Apartheid. Era entonces un país dividido, represión y criminalización de la protesta fin de adaptarla a las nuevas realidades y con ejecuciones legales y disposiciones social y manifestación del movimiento de la dotar al Estado de herramientas eficaces en racistas tales como la Ley de Servicios diversidad sexual en nuestro país, primero la lucha contra la discriminación, la Separados, que prohibía a las personas para no ser considerados criminales, luego derogación de los Códigos de Faltas que negras entrar en las mejores playas y los enfermos y ahora el reconocimiento e penalizan y criminalizan en numerosas mejores parques, o la de Inscripción de la inclusión en igualdad de condiciones. provincias argentinas a la diversidad sexual, Población, que compartimentaba a los y la inclusión de contenidos de diversidad grupos raciales y la Ley de Inmoralidad, que sexual en las currículas educativas de todo el marcaba que no sólo era ilegal que alguien Un camino de cinco años país por ser la herramienta más eficaz en la se casara con una persona de otra raza: lucha contra la discriminación. inclusive la Ley de Áreas de Grupo prohibía Tras el surgimiento de las primeras que los negros y blancos vivieran en las organizaciones de reivindicación de los Dentro de la estrategia por la modificación mismas zonas en las ciudades. derechos LGBT en los años 1970, y con el del Código Civil para permitir el matrimonio retorno de la democracia, el movimiento de sin discriminación, la FALGBT impulsó la diversidad sexual recorrió un sinuoso desde el año 2005 la presentación de
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iniciativas legislativas, tanto en la Cámara de parlamentaria expresaron su contundente quedarse definitivamente y para reconocer la Diputados como en el Senado de la Nación. apoyo a la modificación del Código Civil en igualdad plena a nuestras familias. Simultáneamente se impulsó la estrategia materia de matrimonio. judicial, basada en la presentación de A cuatro meses de vigencia, más de 700 acciones de amparo ante la justicia, De eso modo, durante el primer semestre del parejas han contraído matrimonio en todas solicitando se declare la inconstitucionalidad año se fueron expresando los apoyos de las provincias argentinas, y este ejercicio del Código Civil por no permitir el diversos sectores, credos, universidades, concreto del derecho a la igualdad, abre matrimonio entre las parejas LGBT. centros de estudio, medios de comunicación, nuevos desafíos y compromisos para el referentes de organizaciones sociales y de movimiento LGBT. Si durante 2010 nuestro El fundamento de dicha presentación tuvo derechos humanos, a la par que por la vía de país logró avanzar hacia el reconocimiento y idénticos orígenes que los invocados para el la justicia se lograba que nueve parejas de protección de todas las familias, 2011 debe caso sudafricano: los tratados de derechos personas del mismo sexo lograran casarse en ser el año en el cual el congreso apruebe la humanos internacionales, incorporados con la ciudad autónoma y provincia de Buenos otra norma fundamental para el colectivo rango constitucional en la Reforma de 1994, Aires. LGBT, una ley de Identidad de Género que garantizan a todas y todos —sin ningún tipo garantice el derecho identitario a travestis, de discriminación— los derechos a contraer Es así que, tanto por la vía parlamentaria, transexuales y transgéneros. matrimonio y formar familia. Y en este como por la vía judicial, Argentina se mismo sentido entendió también la jueza encaminaba por esos meses a convertirse en La Justicia de la Ciudad Autónoma de Gabriela Seijas, quien en noviembre de 2009 el primer país en Latinoamérica en legislar Buenos Aires ya ha dado los primeros pasos dio luz verde en primera a instancia a una de en favor de la igualdad plena de todas y y durante los meses de noviembre y las tantas presentaciones que se han todos. El consenso social y político, y una diciembre se han dictado los tres primeros realizado —y se continúan realizando— estrategia que no dejó flancos descubiertos, fallos que reconocen a la identidad como un desde la Federación Argentina LGBT. La permitieron que la madrugada del 5 de derecho inalienable de las personas, y libre sentencia de la jueza permitió celebrar, el 28 mayo la Cámara de Diputados de la Nación de cualquier tipo de condicionalidad. Se de diciembre de 2009 el primer matrimonio diera media sanción a la Ley de la Igualdad trata pues, de garantizar un derecho muy entre personas del mismo sexo en América y, tras dos meses de debate en todas las caro a la historia argentina —como es el Latina, merced a la voluntad política de la provincias argentinas, el Senado diera derecho a la identidad— negado Gobernadora de Tierra del Fuego, Fabiana sanción definitiva el 15 de julio a la Ley sistemáticamente hacia el colectivo trans. Ríos. De este modo Ushuaia, la capital de 26.618, conocida popularmente como Ley Con este reconocimiento se dan los primeros Tierra del Fuego, fue testigo del enlace entre de Matrimonio Igualitario. pasos para —de una vez por todas— Alex Freyre y José María Di Bello, dos alcanzar la igualdad jurídica de todo el activistas de la FALGBT e importantes El hecho más destacado de esta sanción a la colectivo de la diversidad sexual. militantes por los derechos de las personas ley es que la misma se alcanzó con votos de viviendo con VIH/SIDA en nuestro país. quince grupos políticos, y con apoyos Con ambas leyes aprobadas, fundamentales provenientes de casi todas las provincias del e indispensables, estaremos en condiciones país, lo que deja a las claras el cuidadoso de fijar un piso mínimo de igualdad ante la El año de la igualdad trabajo de armado político que llevó ley, que no es otra cosa que una herramienta adelante la FALGBT desde su constitución a partir del cual podamos comenzar a Tras el primer matrimonio igualitario de hasta la sanción de la ley. Y tan histórica fue construir, juntas y juntos, las condiciones América Latina en diciembre de 2009, desde la sanción de la Ley de Matrimonio para la igualdad social y la erradicación la FALGBT entendimos que 2010 iba a ser el Igualitario en Argentina que, si durante 128 completa de la discriminación en cualquiera año de la igualdad. Por primera vez en la períodos parlamentarios nunca antes las de sus formas hacia las personas de historia del movimiento asociativo de la palabras gay, homosexual, lesbianas o trans orientación sexual e identidad de género diversidad sexual se había logrado generar había sido siquiera pronunciada en el recinto diferente a la heterosexual. De nosotras y un amplio consenso en diversos sectores de sesiones, el 4 de mayo las mismas nosotros depende avanzar hacia ese políticos y sociales, y los referentes de los palabras ingresaron al Parlamento y fue para objetivo. n diversos bloques con representación
6 debates
Nuevos derechos para LGBT en Argentina y Brasil por Horacio Sívori | Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro | [email protected]
La Ley de Matrimonio Igualitario, como fue homosexuales vieron en la Constitución parlamentaria equitativa y los derechos conocida en Argentina, la modificación del brasileña de 1988 y la reforma sexuales y reproductivos. artículo 172 del Código Civil que abrió la constitucional argentina de 1994 la puerta para que parejas del mismo sexo oportunidad de introducir la no La experiencia rindió un aprendizaje que fue contrajeran matrimonio en ese país, fue discriminación por orientación sexual en capitalizado con éxito en años posteriores. fruto del intenso y delicado trabajo del esos pilares jurídicos fundamentales. El Dos años más tarde, en 1996, fue votada la movimiento social hoy denominado LGBT, Grupo Triángulo Rosa, de Rio de Janeiro, y Constitución de la Ciudad Autónoma de de lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y personas Gays por los Derechos Civiles, de Buenos Buenos Aires, cuyo texto garantiza el transgénero. Con variados perfiles Aires, respectivamente, prepararon esa “derecho a ser diferente” y especifica la organizativos, trayectorias de movilización, entrada. En Brasil el tema fue intensamente orientación sexual entre los motivos de bases sociales y fuentes de capital intelectual debatido pero la oposición encontrada hizo discriminación reconocidos. Algo análogo y político, conectados a redes internacionales que el movimiento no tuviera éxito (Cámara, sucedería a partir de entonces en el Brasil, tan densas como las locales y nacionales, los 2002), a pesar del impulso democratizador y donde numerosos reglamentos municipales y grupos LGBT han sido especialmente hábiles amplio espacio dado a la equidad de género leyes de los estados, hoy especifican la a la hora de generar simpatías, acumular en la nueva Constitución brasileña (Carrara prohibición de discriminar a las personas en recursos y forjar alianzas. Por el amplio y Vianna, 2008). Alerta desde entonces la virtud de su orientación sexual. La demanda apoyo generado en defensa de la igualdad, resistencia opuesta por sectores de reconocimiento jurídico luego se por su simbolismo al aglutinar un nuevo conservadores, impulsada por la jerarquía desdoblaría en diversas iniciativas en el imaginario en torno de las constelaciones católica en ambos países, e iglesias frente legislativo, judicial y ejecutivo. Si hoy familiares y como marco de futuras reformas evangélicas en el Brasil, pero también por un lado persiste la no mención de la jurídicas, el decisivo avance legislativo difusamente presente en la moral media que orientación sexual en los textos argentino está destinado a sellar un antes y desconfía de causas minoritarias y constitucionales de ambos países, el marco un después en toda América Latina. particularmente de la politización de la amplio de derechos humanos y la mención intimidad. del sexo admiten interpretaciones en el Al colocar esta conquista lado a lado con los sentido de proteger el derecho a la libre logros LGBT brasileños en el plano de los En la Argentina, la apuesta pasaba por la expresión de la sexualidad (Rios, 2010). derechos, se hace visible un campo de acción candidatura de Carlos Jáuregui a la común. Los avances brasileños han sido Convención Constituyente, aunque con Las principales consignas de los menos expresivos en el plano legislativo pocas chances de ser elegido (Bellucci, 2010). movimientos homosexuales organizados en federal, pero sensacionales en términos de La propuesta nunca llegaría a ver la luz en la Argentina y Brasil, cuando estos comenzaron políticas públicas de alcance nacional, Asamblea, aunque la participación en ese a actuar públicamente en las décadas de jurisprudencia, leyes, decretos y programas proceso generó una alianza con el 1970 y 1980, fueron la libre expresión de la estatales y municipales. Cada trayectoria movimiento feminista contra la introducción sexualidad, la despatologización de tiene valor singular y cobra sentido en un de un artículo en defensa de la vida desde la conductas e identidades homosexuales y la contexto social, con relación a culturas concepción que hubiera operado un blindaje movilización contra la violencia y el abuso políticas, morfologías estatales y coyunturas constitucional contra cualquier alternativa policial. Al llegar los 1990, la lucha contra específicas. No obstante, sin postular un de aborto legal (Petracci y Pecheny, 2007). el SIDA, cuyas demandas fueron análisis comparativo ni una abstracción de No obstante la ausencia de resultados configuradas en términos de “derecho a la las condiciones de posibilidad y contexto de inmediatos en términos de reconocimiento salud”, y contra la discriminación, pasaron a emergencia de cada acción, propongo del derecho a la no discriminación por encabezar la lista de reivindicaciones. observar el conjunto de los principales orientación sexual, en ambos países el Concomitantemente el movimiento se frentes jurídicos abiertos en ambos países, proceso constituyente se convirtió en un expandió y segmentó, con las demandas para discutir sus alcances, compromisos, escenario de intensa visibilización de las particulares de colectivos lésbicos y trans impasses y los debates que han suscitado. políticas sexuales. Ante el embate (Facchini 2005). conservador, se despliega un horizonte Abre este recorrido una experiencia de común de demandas en conexión con causas Como parte de ese mismo horizonte, el activismo legislativo. Los militantes feministas como la representación reconocimiento legal de las uniones ha
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estado en la agenda de los movimientos judicialmente— para la equiparación de proyecto de parceria civil registrada LGBT argentino y brasileño desde mediados derechos mediante el acceso al matrimonio. actualmente tramitado en el Congreso de la década de 1990. La situación legal de brasileño, como argumentan Carrara y las parejas se convirtió en tema urgente ante El siguiente paso del movimiento, ahora Vianna (2008), asignan a las uniones la inminente posibilidad de desaparición liderado por la Federación Argentina LGBT homosexuales un estatuto subordinado, física que trajo la epidemia del SIDA. En el (conformada en 2005), fue formular como mero contrato entre dos partes. Brasil, el primer proyecto de ley federal para demandas de inconstitucionalidad ante la reglamentar la parceria (sociedad) civil entre negativa del Registro Civil a celebrar Tanto los intentos de restringir el alcance de homosexuales, fue presentado por la matrimonios entre personas del mismo sexo. la reforma jurídica argentina como las poco entonces Senadora Marta Suplicy (PT-SP) en Las mismas no llegaron a ser debatidas, pues discutidas limitantes a la unión civil 1995, aunque más adelante sufriría antes, el 15 de julio de este año, fue brasileña llaman la atención acerca de los modificaciones. En vista de la oposición aprobada la citada reforma del Código Civil. valores disputados en el proceso abierto por montada en su contra, organizada a modo Esto fue posible debido a una serie de el reconocimiento civil de las uniones de frente inter-partidario de legisladores alianzas gestadas a lo largo de dos décadas homosexuales. El debate abierto ante la religiosos, si bien el tema del “casamiento con movimientos de derechos humanos, posibilidad de legalizar dobles paternidades gay” ha dado gran visibilidad a los derechos feministas, y parlamentarios de todo el o dobles maternidades, la movilización de LGBT, el movimiento hasta el presente no ha espectro político. Paradójicamente, las argumentos pseudo científicos y variedad de visto la oportunidad de llevar ese proyecto a amenazas desbocadas y el intento de instalar reparos (no siempre manifiestos) opuestos votación en el Congreso. Del mismo modo, un pánico moral por parte de la derecha contra ella indican que la resistencia ante un si bien en la Argentina el movimiento había católica, produjeron tal polarización que ni reconocimiento igualitario completo no discutido la posibilidad de promover una ley siquiera fue necesario negociar el término proviene apenas de sectores religiosos, sino del mismo tipo en el Congreso Nacional, por medio que hubiera significado una ley de que se extiende a diversos ámbitos — las inclinaciones conservadoras de la unión civil (instituto diferenciado del inclusive científicos— donde impera un mayoría de los miembros de ambas cámaras matrimonio, cuya definición heterosexual se sentido común heterosexista. Resta observar antes de la nueva década, se evaluaba que su pretendía que continuara intacta) de alcance los efectos de la innovación jurídica valor sería meramente testimonial. nacional. El oficialismo, con el apoyo de la argentina tanto en el debate público como propia presidenta Cristina Fernández en el terreno de las subjetividades. Sin embargo, una ventana de oportunidad se terminó de inclinar la balanza a favor de la abriría pasada la crisis del 2001 en la reforma que consagra la igualdad civil para En el Brasil, otros ámbitos estatales han sido Legislatura de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. todas las ciudadanas y ciudadanos. más permeables a acciones restitutivas a Una intensa campaña de lobby favor de derechos de personas LGBT. Como parlamentario, gestión de apoyos políticos, A diferencia de ambos instrumentos en otros países, antes de la sanción de leyes producción de argumentos y movilización argentinos (la Unión Civil y el Matrimonio), que pasaran a garantizar el acceso universal pública liderada por la Comunidad que actualmente contemplan a parejas a servicios sociales y de salud, las personas Homosexual Argentina (CHA), enfrentando hetero y homosexuales indistintamente, el viviendo con VIH lo habían obtenido por la una dura oposición conservadora, tuvo proyecto sustitutivo actualmente vigente en vía judicial. Esas primeras causas allanaron como resultado la aprobación, en diciembre el Congreso Nacional del Brasil, contempla el camino para implementar una variedad de de 2002, de la primera Ley de Unión Civil en exclusivamente las uniones “entre personas demandas por esa vía (Carrara y Vianna América Latina, que rige en la Ciudad del mismo sexo”.2 Por otro lado, su texto 2008). Existe ya un cuerpo importante de Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Le siguieron veta expresamente la adopción o tutela jurisprudencia y acciones administrativas otras dos jurisdicciones municipales y una conjunta, niños o adolescentes, por parte de que garantizan derechos de herencia y provincia.1 Aunque esta ley no contempla la parejas homosexuales. Si bien es posible cobertura social para parejas del mismo sexo comunión de bienes, el derecho a la herencia separar analíticamente los asuntos que en “uniones estables”. Lo mismo se aplica al ni el acceso a la maternidad o paternidad atañen a la constitución de familias, de los “nombre social” de acuerdo con la identidad compartida, establece el reconocimiento que hacen a la regulación de las uniones y la de género escogida por personas trans y a la oficial de las uniones. Dicha legislación local convivencia, es decir, del casamiento (Golin, cobertura de tratamientos hormonales y allanó el camino —simbólica, política y Pocahy, Rios 2003), esas restricciones al cirugías de transgenitalización por parte del
8 Sistema Único de Salud. En ambos casos, a políticas y acciones de gobierno que afectan adquieren sentido para el movimiento LGBT los fallos judiciales siguió una pléyade de a las personas LGBT, la garantía de políticas si tenemos en cuenta el grado expresivo de leyes, decretos y normas administrativas que específicas de salud y una serie de iniciativas relatos de violencia homofóbica denunciado progresivamente van generalizando ese destinadas a combatir el prejuicio en el en ciudades brasileñas (Mott, Cerqueira reconocimiento, fundamentado en la no ámbito escolar. Si por un lado estimula 2001; Carrara, Vianna 2004; Carrara, discriminación. Del mismo modo y proyectos de sensibilización en ámbitos Ramos 2005) y el camino ya trazado por solapando el debate social y legislativo educativos, de la salud y de la legislación que, fundamentada en los acerca del reconocimiento de familias LGBT, administración estatal, la idea de combate a Derechos Humanos, aborda la violencia fallos recientes han comenzado a reconocer la homofobia se traduce también en ejercida contra sujetos oprimidos mediante la co-parentalidad a cargo de parejas respuestas concretas a la violencia y una combinación de políticas de asistencia a homosexuales. discriminación sufrida por personas LGBT. las víctimas y castigo de los agresores. Es el Como parte de las políticas de caso de la Ley María da Penha, que aborda Por otro lado se destacan casos judiciales enfrentamiento de la violencia motivada por integralmente la violencia contra las mujeres que involucran acciones punitivas.3 El prejuicio sexual, cabe señalar la creación de y, si comprendemos la injuria como una primero a mencionar sancionó el asesinato “Centros de Referencia” que proveen expresión que produce daño, de la Ley 7716 brutal de Edson Néris a manos de skinheads contención y asesoramiento a las víctimas. y el PL 122. en São Paulo, motivado por expresiones de afecto entre la víctima y otro hombre. El El tema nos lleva de regreso al proceso Sin embargo, sectores religiosos cuya prédica alegato del fiscal y la sentencia ejemplar (de legislativo. Se tramita en el Congreso involucra la condena o cuestionamiento de hasta veintiún años de prisión) aplicada a los brasileño desde 2006 el Proyecto de Ley la homosexualidad han recibido esta declarados culpables por el crimen tipifican 122, que condensa cuestiones abordadas por iniciativa como un ataque a la libertad de el “crimen de odio” por primera vez en la las políticas públicas y casos judiciales expresión, que en su caso es comprendida jurisprudencia brasileña, basados en el citados. El proyecto representa actualmente como condición para la libertad religiosa, derecho de la víctima a la igualdad, la apuesta más fuerte del movimiento, también contemplada en el texto de la Ley. independiente de su orientación sexual. articulado por la Asociación Brasileña Este impasse abre un debate que no debe ser En el segundo caso fue una acción civil LGBT, que congrega a más de 200 soslayado. Por otra parte, críticas promovida en São Paulo contra la cadena organizaciones afiliadas en todos los estados provenientes del campo de la criminología televisiva RedeTV y el presentador del de la Unión. Aprobado en la Cámara de advierten acerca de intervenciones punitivas programa Tarde Quente, que cotidianamente Diputados en 2008, está en trámite en el y de abordajes que privilegian la emitía chistes que ridiculizaban y humillaban Senado y su votación es inminente. El comprensión de fenómenos sociales como la a personas por su orientación sexual. proyecto propone alterar la redacción de la homofobia dentro de un paradigma de La causa resultó en un acuerdo por el cual Ley 7716 de 1989, que define los crímenes seguridad. En cambio, iniciativas como el la red debió pagar una multa de motivados por la discriminación por raza o Programa Brasil sin Homofobia promueven aproximadamente 200.000 dólares y emitir color de piel. Según la nueva redacción, la políticas integrales que procuran treinta programas sobre derechos humanos ley pasaría a incluir “raza, color, etnia, comprender la interacción del género, la a cargo de las organizaciones que religión, origen, condición de persona de clase y la raza, etnia o color de piel en la promovieron la acción. edad avanzada o discapacitada, género, producción de los prejuicios, las agresiones y sexo, orientación sexual o identidad de la violencia simbólica vivida cotidianamente Completa el elenco de acciones de género”.5 Asimismo, el proyecto establece por personas LGBT en situaciones donde la reconocimiento y justicia restitutiva para penas de uno a tres años de prisión y multa invisibilidad o violencia ostensiva les personas LGBT el Programa Brasil sin a quien indujera o incitara a la impiden vivir su sexualidad plenamente y Homofobia, emprendimiento de gran discriminación o prejuicio según la con dignidad. envergadura promovido por el Gobierno definición citada. Federal en articulación con la Asociación La criminalización del habla homofóbica, Brasileña LGBT. 4 Este Plan Nacional La tipificación de los “crímenes de odio”, con su mensaje espectacular y dudosamente contempla un abanico de acciones entre las por un lado, y la criminalización del discurso atento a las sutilezas involucradas en la cuales se cuenta el control social sobre homofóbico como hate speech, por otro, caracterización de un acto de habla como
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“injuria”, impone también cierta cautela, Carrara, Sérgio y Silvia Ramos Rios, Roger Raupp pues entraña el potencial agravamiento de 2005 Política, Direitos, Violência e 2010 “Sexual Rights of Gays, Lesbians, and una situación de injusticia tanto para la Homossexualidade: Pesquisa da 9ª Parada do Transgender Persons in Latin America”. En víctima como para el victimario. ¿Cómo orgulho GLBT - Rio de Janeiro. Rio de Corrales, J. y M. Pecheny (Eds.), The Politics entran en la ecuación, por ejemplo, las Janeiro: CEPESC. of Sexuality in Latin America. A Reader on complejas jerarquías construidas sobre el Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Rights. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press. color de piel y el capital cultural del agresor Carrara, Sérgio y Adriana Vianna y de la víctima? ¿En qué contribuyen esas 2004 “A violência letal contra homossexuais configuraciones para la propia no município do Rio de Janeiro: características Endnotes caracterización del lugar de víctima y gerais”. En: Cáceres, C., T. Frasca, M. Pecheny victimario? Del mismo modo, la expansión y V. Terto (Eds.), Ciudadanía sexual en 1 Río Cuarto y Villa María, en la provincia de del derecho civil que permite el acceso al América Latina: abriendo el debate. Lima: Córdoba, y la provincia de Río Negro. matrimonio no es punto final de una carrera Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. 2 ni los hitos de esa lucha puntean un El proyecto fue presentado por el entonces Diputado Roberto Jefferson (PTB-RJ). recorrido teleológico. El valor de este Carrara, Sérgio y Adriana Vianna avance debe ser analizado también a la luz 2008 “Políticas sexuales y derechos sexuales 3 Extraído de Carrara y Vianna (2008). de los compromisos que implica. Cuenta, en Brasil: um estúdio de caso”. En Parker, R., por ejemplo, el potencial generador de R. Petchesky y R. Sember (Eds.), Políticas 4 http://www.abglt.org.br/port/planos_gov.php. nuevas exclusiones a partir de una nueva sobre sexualidad. Reportes desde las líneas del Para un análisis de la implantación del sacralización de instituciones y de la frente. México: Sexuality Policy Watch. pp. Programa, ver De La Dehesa (2010), Capítulo 27-55. naturalización de determinadas elecciones VI. afectivas (por ejemplo, la monogamia o la 5 http://www.abglt.org.br/port/plc122.php n idea de estabilidad del vínculo amoroso). de la Dehesa, Rafael El ejercicio y administración de estos nuevos 2010 Queering the Public Sphere in Mexico derechos impone también nuevos desafíos. and Brazil. Sexual Rights Movements in Emerging Democracies. Durham NC: Duke University Press. Referencias Facchini, Regina Bellucci, Mabel 2005 Sopa de letrinhas? Movimento homossexual e produção de identidades Orgullo: Carlos Jáuregui, uma biografia coletivas nos anos 90. Rio de Janeiro: política. Buenos Aires: Emecé. Garamond.
Brown, Stephen Golin, Célio, Fernando Pocahy y R. R. Rios 1999 “Democracy and Sexual Difference: 2003 A justiça e os direitos de gays e lésbicas: The Lesbian and Gay Movement in jurisprudência comentada. Porto Alegre: Argentina”. En Adam B., J. Duyvendak e A. Nuances/Sulina. Krouwel (eds.), The Global Emergence of Gay and Lesbian Politics: National Imprints of a Worldwide Movement. pp. 110-131. Mott, Luiz y Marcelo Cerqueira 2001 Causa Mortis: Homofobia. Salvador: Câmara, Cristina Grupo Gay da Bahia. 2002 Cidadania e orientação sexual: A trajetória do Grupo Triângulo Rosa. Rio de Petracci, Mónica y Mario Pecheny Janeiro: Academia Avançada. 2007 Argentina, derechos humanos y sexualidad. Buenos Aires: CLAM/CEDES.
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Latin American Research Review: Living in Actually Existing Democracies by Philip Oxhorn, McGill University and Nancy Postero | University of California, San Diego
By now, many of you are familiar with the Living in Actually Existing Democracies: meeting the electorates’ expectations, not to first-ever special issue of theLatin American An Introduction To LARR Volume 45, mention winning their trust. While public Research Review: Living in Actually Existing Special Issue, 2010 opinion surveys consistently show that, in Democracies. As is often the case with general, more Latin Americans than ever unprecedented endeavors, unanticipated Philip Oxhorn / McGill University / before believe that political democracy is the problems can catch one off guard. In this LARR Editor in Chief “best” form of government, they are case, it was only after the volume was in the consistently unsatisfied with the mail that we learned that Nancy Postero of Nancy Postero / University of California, governments that are actually elected, and the University of California, San Diego, was San Diego / Guest Editor substantial minorities (and sometimes even not recognized as the Guest Editor for the majorities) suggest they would support an special issue. Working closely with me, her It seems that the value of Latin America’s authoritarian regime under various invaluable contribution made the issue much current generation of democracies has been circumstances.1 In an effort to understand better than it otherwise would have been, challenged virtually since its origins in the why this is the case, a growing body of and on behalf of the LARR editorial democratic transitions of the late 1970s and literature has focused on the problematic committee, I want to formally thank her. We early 1980s. For some, the “problem” was quality of Latin American democracies, also discovered that the introduction we rooted in flawed, elite-dominated transitions (Oxhorn 2006b; Oxhorn and Ducatenzeiler co-wrote was omitted from the special issue. that ensured that little, if anything, would 1998; United Nations Development Program That introduction is reproduced here, and actually change with inauguration of regimes 2002). Central to this approach has been the will also be available at LARR Online. based on relatively free and competitive noting of unequal or “disjunctive” access to periodic elections (MacEwan 1988; Petras citizenship rights, as societies continue to be Like the proponents of Latin American and Vieux 1994). Such extreme pessimism divided by race, ethnicity, and class (Caldeira democracy, we are learning from our was only reinforced (albeit unintentionally) and Holston 1999, Postero and Zamosc mistakes and expect the next special issue to by the so-called “transitologists” who 2004). Such structured inequalities have reflect that. In the meantime, we hope that welcomed the return of political democracy been exacerbated during the last two the special issue and our introduction will be at the same time that they cautioned against decades of neoliberal economic policies, of value to those strive to understand the the dangers posed by transitions that seemed which have widened the gaps between rich region’s complex socio-economic and to favor the popular majority at the and poor and deepened the distrust of political dynamics. perceived expense of the political and political elites who are seen as accountable economic elites most closely associated with more to the global market than to their own Philip Oxhorn the outgoing authoritarian regimes constituencies. Continuing inequalities and Editor in Chief (O’Donnell and Schmitter 1986). Indeed, the deepening distrust have had a significant Latin American Research Review historical record strongly suggested that the impact on democratic processes in recent most enduring democracies in Latin America years. In the so-called “turn to the left,” were based on elite agreements or pacts politicians and civil society have not only (Karl 1990), which by definition constrained critiqued the neoliberal policies put in place voter alternatives and deliberately erected under the “Washington Consensus,” but they obstacles to the kinds of structural changes have also pushed alternatives to electoral necessary to tackle historical problems of democracy, focusing instead on popular or poverty and inequality. “multitude”-like forms of participation (Arditti 2008:65, Postero 2007). Now that formal democratic transitions are a thing of the past (even Mexico, which was Scholars studying this era have generally the last country to experience a democratic distanced themselves from the earlier transition, has had a second presidential critiques of the transitions themselves, yet election since its historic 2000 elections), the question that the earlier literature raised attention has turned increasingly to the nevertheless remains: How much of a effectiveness of elected governments in difference has democracy actually made for
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the common citizen? As Guillermo more participatory democracy and the processes conducive to the consolidation of O’Donnell cogently points out, we need to preservation of existing democratic democracy.” At the same time, Mexico seriously question “the effectiveness of institutions. As one of our anonymous exhibits “the weakness of both civil society political citizenship when referring to reviewers pointed out, the cases exemplify and the culture and practices that can push individuals who are severely deprived of civil four contrasting options, as captured on the democratic innovation.” (Actually Existing and social rights” (O’Donnell 2004: 31). following two-dimensional table: Democracies: 79).
With that question in mind, LARR’s Are there strong, For each country, we asked three prominent Editorial Committee decided to commission stable democratic researchers to contribute an original paper the journal’s first special issue,Living in institutions? that focused on a particular aspect of Actually Existing Democracies. The choice “democracy” drawing on their particular of titles was deliberate, harking back to the Yes no area of research expertise.2 Because LARR height of the Cold War when theorists and is an interdisciplinary journal, we tried to policymakers alike tried to interpret the Is there a Yes Brazil Bolivia solicit articles from various academic significance of “actually existing socialisms” movement disciplines, and perhaps more importantly, based on the dramatically differing realities toward a more No Chile Mexico from differing points of view. There is often of socialist experiments in countries as far participatory an assumption that traditional disciplines flung as the USSR, China, Vietnam and democracy? are homogeneous in terms of their Cuba, to name but a few. Socialism, like approaches and conclusions, and the democracy, is an ideal that is at best only Chile is an example of a well-established and competing perspectives in this special issue approached by actual governments; the stable electoral democracy with strong are a powerful reminder that differences question then, as now, is whether existing representative institutions that operate within disciplines can be as great as between regimes approach the ideal “well enough” to within the context of the rule of law, but them. We particularly wanted to open the make a positive difference in the lives of Chile’s democracy has few participatory discussion about democracy to those outside people. Recognizing that each case features. Bolivia, on the other hand, has political science, which has traditionally demonstrates “limited” or “incomplete” seen an explosion of participation. It is the dominated the topic, but also to different democracy when compared to the ideal, one case in which social movements have perspectives from within political science. particularly in Latin America today, we ask come to power, but this has happened in the Thus, there are political science analyses of whether political actors are imagining, context of a virtual collapse of the party institutions and electoral politics alongside moving towards, or re-signifying democracy system and the erosion of political pacts that chapters by sociologists, anthropologists, in different places in the contemporary have underpinned democratic stability in the and historians focusing on social moment and, if so, how? What new sorts of current democratic era. Bolivia is also a case movements, indigenous organizations, and practices might come to characterize where indigenous mobilization plays an women’s movements. Like democracy, the “democracy” in this post-transition era? important role in the redefinition of best we can hope for is to approach the Tackling such a broad topic required a bit of democracy. “ideal” in terms of a multidisciplinary imagination, and we decided to leave that up perspective on a crucial question facing all to the contributors as much as possible. We Brazil’s democracy has passed a number of Latin Americans. Given that there are often were therefore pleasantly surprised that all tests of “consolidation.” Brazil has also marked differences of opinion among the the authors were largely talking about the become an important site of democratic authors, we feel we made a good start. For same issues in generally comparable ways. innovation, known globally for its example, the authors of the Chilean chapters participatory budgeting processes. The most largely agree on the facts, but take divergent As editors, we chose four countries—Bolivia, discouraging case among this set is obviously positions in their interpretations. The Brazil, Chile and Mexico—we felt would Mexico. According to Alberto Olvera’s Bolivian chapters show perhaps the strongest represent a wide range of experiences along contribution, Mexico “suffers from the disagreements, with Laserna and de la several dimensions.. Most importantly, we structural political and legal stalemate Fuente representing polar opposites in the chose cases that could demonstrate the created both by a constitution and a political facts they present as well as in their analyses tension between the movement toward a system that represent an obstacle to of Evo Morales’ strategies. While the
12 differences of opinion are perhaps less greater social component of democratic particularly on the left, have historically pronounced in the articles on Brazil, the governance than is normally attributed to viewed the elitism of “democratic politics.” contrasts and similarities in perspectives this perspective—originally and forcefully As Delamaza notes, this reflects a new offer important insights into what criticized as “elitist” democratic theory understanding of democracy that recognizes “democracy” means for different actors. We (Bachrach 1967)—even if they the importance of “deepening democracy hope these debates will be productive. We simultaneously warn about the possibility with a representative foundation” rather are particularly happy that so many Latin that more participatory understandings of than replacing it with some form of American authors contributed to this effort. democracy might undermine the pillars of “popular protagonism or direct democracy” representative governance (see below). The (Actually Existing Democracies: 280). In this brief introduction, we focus on three other authors, however, stress that while the central crosscutting themes that stand out: institutions of representative governance are Benjamin Arditti has discussed this change in the definition of democracy, the role of a core element of democracy, these need to some depth in his important 2008 LARR participation and social heterogeneity in a be complemented by various mechanisms for article on the left in Latin America. He democracy, and the relationship between increased citizen participation that can argues that the left has responded to the democracy and the economy. encapsulate democracy “as a form of “hits and misses” of the last few decades, relationship between the state and civil arriving at an understanding that the goals society that may lead to a process of social of achieving equality, solidarity, and a Minimalist, Maximalist or and political inclusion” (Actually Existing change in the status quo are more important Simply Appropriate: Democracies: 182). While elections and the than ideological orthodoxy. As a result, he Defining the Nature of Democracy prominent role played by political parties in says, the left has downplayed the socialist elections are generally accepted as necessary agenda in favor of a wide acceptance of In many ways, the early debates about the components of political democracy by these multiparty democracy. But, he argues, across nature of “democratic” transitions turned on authors, they also stress that they are by no the continent, the excluded have expressed competing definitions of what democracy means sufficient. They need to be dissatisfaction with electoral democracy, actually entailed, leading to quite complemented in a variety of ways, “motivated by the belief that there was contradictory criticisms of the same body of including the actions of social movements something fundamentally wrong with work (e.g., Levine 1988; MacEwan 1988; (Carter) and civil society actors more representation and that it was worth Petras and Vieux 1994). What stands out in generally (Avritzer, Delamaza, Olvera) as experimenting with alternatives like cabildos our collection of essays is that all the authors part of what Olvera (Actually Existing abiertos, exodus, multitude, self-government, have essentially moved beyond these often Democracies: 81) labels a “democratic recall, and so on” (Arditti: 66). This has polemical debates about what democracy is participatory project.” In particular, both caused the left to adapt its definitions and its to focus more on the potential that political Hernández Díaz and de la Fuente emphasize agendas. He concludes that “[e]ven if or liberal democracy has for achieving how such participation, especially of multiparty electoral democracy—the heart accountable, responsive governments that indigenous peoples, can add a distinctly of the liberal conception of politics—is a strive to ensure greater social inclusion. This cultural dimension to the definition of fixture in the imaginary of the left, so is the is not to suggest that there is a universal democracy, while Valdés, Ortiz-Ortega and experimentation with post-liberal formats of consensus on what constitutes the basic Barquet underscore its importance for political participation” (Arditti: 67). institutional and social parameters of ensuring greater gender equality. Although democracy, but rather to emphasize that the such an expansive definition of democracy The authors here generally follow this line, authors in this special issue generally take as goes far beyond what Dahl and, in and are largely concerned with whether their common starting point a procedural particular, Schumpeter imagined decades ago greater participation and inclusion can be definition that draws on the classic work of in many fundamental ways, it does so in a achieved within the framework of liberal Schumpeter (1950) and Dahl (1971). For way that is not mutually exclusive with a institutions. That is, none suggest that example, some authors clearly remain more narrower procedural definition, even if it “actually existing” and “participatory” faithful to this more traditional simultaneously tests the limits of democratic democracies are mutually exclusive understanding (e.g., Laserna, Navia and liberalism (see Postero). This is a major alternatives. They do differ, however, in the 3 Power). Yet they also generally recognize a change in the way Latin Americans, degree to which they believe the two can be
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reconciled. Again, the Bolivian chapters societies marked by the high levels of and economic successes it can bring as a provide the starkest contrasts. Postero inequality, that led many across the political result (Navia, Power). For most of the describes the tensions at play in the Morales spectrum to adopt an instrumental view of authors in this special issue, it is even more government: an urgency on the part of the democracy, supporting it only insofar as it important to recognize the problems that a MAS and the social movements for radical allowed different actors to pursue their own lack of elite consensus can generate (De la political change to overcome legacies of narrow interests (Garretón 1989 ; O’Donnell Fuente, Laserna, Olvera, Ortiz-Ortega and colonialism and neoliberalism and the need 1979).4 For the authors in this special issue, Barquet, Postero, Power). There can also be to work within the constraints of a liberal democratic institutions are ideally viewed as too much of a good thing, and in some cases democratic system. De la Fuente takes one mechanisms for resolving conflict peacefully, an excessive level of elite consensus can lead side, focusing on the long-delayed demands even if they disagree on the precise nature of to political inertia, if not stagnation, which of the indigenous social movements, and those institutions or the relative balance prejudices the prospects for greater social arguing that Bolivia requires another model between representative and participatory inclusion and equity (Carter, Delamaza, of democracy and new social relations to structures. For them, this is how social, Valdés). Ultimately, for all of the authors, overcome the limitations of Western economic and cultural heterogeneity can be regardless of their particular perspective, the representative democracy. Laserna takes the addressed in a constructive way that brings challenge for currently existing democracies other side, arguing that the mob mentality of societies together rather than tear them is to find an appropriate balance between popular sectors in street protests and the apart, as was frequently the case prior to the the pursuit of elite consensus and the level of undemocratic tactics of the Morales last wave of democratic transitions.5 As citizen participation beyond the electoral government fundamentally threaten Olvera (Actually Existing Democracies: 99) moment. democracy. Taking a position somewhere in eloquently points out, “in the real world, between, Postero describes the MAS’s urban and rural, Indian or not, it is not struggle between its commitment to existing possible to get rid of plurality, difference, Participation and Social Heterogeneity democracy and its aspirations for radical conflict and multiple power relations, which in Democracy: In Search of a New change, and concludes that this process may have to be processed politically (in a Democratic Equilibrium be producing a reworked or democratic way).” Indeed, Carter emphasizes “vernacularized” form of liberalism (or what in his article on the MST of Brazil how Once the role of elites and the centrality of Arditti calls post-liberalism) that is more non-violent conflict may actually be required conflict are acknowledged, the challenge democratic and more relevant to Bolivia’s to force democracy to live up to its full then is to minimize the latter and indigenous populations. potential by demanding greater levels of circumscribe the influence of the former in responsiveness and accountability from ways that are consistent with democratic This idea of democratic deepening and the elected leaders. inclusion. For all the authors, the key to expanded concept of democracy that it meeting this challenge is to determine an implies diverges from the classic Ironically, this new appreciation for political appropriate role for citizens to play in Schumpeterian/Dahlian conceptualization in democracy also reflects a more realistic complementing representative institutions another way that is important to highlight: appraisal of the role of political elites. For linked to free and fair elections, even though Democracy is viewed as inherently the first time, there is now a general they may disagree on what that role should conflictual. Although competition (or agreement that democracy is perhaps the be. This is more than a theoretical issue. contestation for Dahl) has always been best safeguard against abuses by political Defining this role in practice has become a central to democratic theory, the general elites; rather than looking for nondemocratic central element of the political dynamics in presumption was that consolidated alternatives to “elitist” political democracy, all the countries examined in this special democracies reflected a high level of political democracy is now seen as the best issue; even if there is a consensus that there underlying social consensus that minimized way to counter the political and economic is more to democracy than elections and that trade-offs and the kind of zero-sum politics power of elites. The inevitability of having elites cannot do everything, people are still that frequently undermined Latin American political elites is now more or less a given, as struggling to figure out what kind of “other” democracies in the past. Indeed, it was a attention turns to the central importance of participation is called for. This search—both rejection of this assumption as unrealistic, if elite consensus. In some cases, elite in theory and in practice—for new models of not inherently unjust in Latin American agreement stands out because of the political democracy that combine important elements
14 of representative democracy with innovative liberal democratic ideals and institutions, appropriate way to achieve this balance, or channels for civil society to influence and the types of democratic institutions that even what that balance might entail. democratic politics can be understood as a may come to typify what Arditti (2008) calls Similarly, the contrasting perspectives new search for a “democratic equilibrium.” new “post-liberal” models of democracy offered by Avritzer and Carter in many ways In particular, new forms of participation are (Postero). At one extreme, civil society may reflect the difference between participation generally viewed as mechanisms for be mobilized at the expense of representative in a local rather than national or regional increasing governmental responsiveness and institutions (Laserna, Navia), even when political arena. accountability, at the same time that they such mobilization has the explicit goal of subvert the elitism and hierarchy of strengthening their democratic qualities in Even more important for achieving this clientelism (and, perhaps, representative order to make them more inclusionary (de la balance is the fact that there is an inevitable democracy more generally). Fuente, Postero). This perspective contrasts tension between political parties and civil with one that argues that excessive elite societies created by the centrality of elections The idea of democratic equilibrium consensus can severely limit the space themselves. Political parties in many highlights the ways current perspectives on available for civil society—and citizens more instances seem to compete with civil society democracy contrast with dominant generally—to participate in democratic actors for political influence (Oxhorn: perspectives of the not-too-distant past. politics independently of periodically held 1995), with the result that political parties Holding elections for the sake of having elections (Delamaza, Valdés). What is have come to undermine civil society in elections regardless of whether they are striking is that in all of the countries many instances when their role has become meaningfully free and competitive is no examined in this special issue, there are no too dominant (Delamaza, Valdés, Olvera longer tenable. It is only when elections are guidelines for what such a balance between Ortiz-Ortega and Barquet).7 Indeed, one of meaningful in this sense that the political representative democracy and its socio- the principal conflicts that democratic rights which are the lynchpin of political political complements should consist of, regimes struggle to address is this tension democracy can “be used for conquering either in terms of some consensual between political parties and civil society. other rights” (O’Donnell 2004: 49). Rather normative ideal or in what it currently Perhaps the most poignant example of this is than the search for “stability” or “order” means to “live in an actually existing the “puzzle” of democracy in Brazil, which that was the quid pro quo for elite and democracy.” While some authors (e.g., “is strongly legitimate at the elite level but middle class acquiescence to democratic rule Avritzer, Delamaza, Olvera) offer the weakly legitimate at the mass level” in the past, there is general agreement that outlines of what such a balance may entail, (Actually Existing Democracies: 220). stability cannot be disassociated from the it is still, at best, a goal that various actors in quality of democratic governance. At a each country are still striving to achieve. More generally, this tension may also reflect minimum, most of the authors would agree the very different roles that political parties that while political stability may be Achieving this goal is complicated for many and civil society actors play in any necessary, it is not sufficient and it may even reasons. One important reason is that in democracy. Political parties are be undesirable if the regime is not general, citizen participation is most easily quintessential aggregators of citizen interests, democratic, regardless of whether it is linked achieved at the local level. This creates and their “success” is often measured in to measurable material improvements in the important challenges when local terms of the breadth, if not depth, of their quality of life for the majority. In particular, governments themselves enjoy limited public support. Civil society, on the other popular participation can be seen as an autonomy from the central state hand, is itself an arena for mediating conflict essential mechanism for correcting the (Hernández-Díaz). It also creates challenges and difference, even if the literature often shortcomings and institutional flaws rooted of trying to “scale up” from the local to treats it as a unified actor (Oxhorn 2006a). in the nature of the transition process itself influence national politics and policies. In Depth, not breadth, of support is key to (Delamaza, Valdés, Carter).6 many ways, this problem of scaling up goes understanding the role a strong civil society to the heart of the current political debates can play in democracy by giving voice to As a number of authors explain, achieving in Bolivia (de la Fuente, Laserna, Postero), as different segments of society so as to such a democratic equilibrium is often well as Chile (Delamaza, Navia, Valdés), maximize political and social inclusion. To a problematic for a variety of reasons. It may even if the authors in this special issue do certain extent, this adds yet another even reflect inherent contradictions between not necessarily agree on the most dimension to the possible limits of liberal
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democracy as suggested by Postero in her The second challenge, however, has more to capabilities, “such as living a long and contribution to this special issue. From the do with the strength of civil society. Very healthy life, being knowledgeable, and perspective of civil society, this role raises simply put, is civil society necessarily up to enjoying a decent standard of living” (UNDP two challenges. the task? In other words, does civil society 2000: 20). O’Donnell suggests that possess the autonomy and organizational attainment of those rights and The first challenge for civil society is to capacity to allow it to influence in positive capabilities—a process we might call human mediate its own heterogeneity. Such ways how democratic politics unfolds in development—is not merely the result of an heterogeneity has multiple dimensions, each country? Several authors here describe increase in material resources, but rather, including class, race, ethnicity, language, forceful actions by social movements, such comes about through political and very religion and gender, and struggles for as indigenous and popular organizations often conflictive processes. While it is democratic deepening reflect a deliberate taking part in the Constituent Assembly in theoretically impossible to identify precisely effort to ensure that the groups associated Bolivia (de la Fuente, Laserna, Postero) and the set of rights and capabilities that would with these sometimes competing identities the landless movement in Brazil (Carter). be necessary to generate an “adequate” level are included in democratic politics (e.g., These can be contrasted to other less of human rights and development, he Carter, Delamaza, Valdés). Thus, we see successful movements, like the feminist concludes that democracy is important as important moves to expand existing movements in Chile and Mexico (Valdés, “an enabling milieu for the struggles usually democratic institutions in places where Ortiz-Ortega and Barquet). The experiences needed in order to inscribe need-claims as indigenous peoples who have been of each country, and often within the same effective rights.” (2004:11) marginalized for centuries have now begun country, are quite varied in this regard. to exercise citizenship rights and participate This argument points to a fundamental in local and national politics (Postero, question about democracy: What rights do Hernández-Díaz). Many of the post-liberal Democracy and the Economy citizens as agents expect from a democratic forms of democratic practices our authors society? Most would argue that citizens are describe reflect indigenous influences, as A third and final issue that the authors in entitled to political, civil, and cultural rights; these new citizens begin to mold liberal this collection focus upon is the relationship but what about economic rights? This is, of institutions to their own culturally specific between democracy and economic course, the subject of a very old debate. values and customs (Postero). But such development. As Navia points out, there has Under classic liberal notions of democracy, heterogeneity is also the source of much of been a longstanding debate about whether the economic sphere is considered to be the conflict in democratic politics, making development is a precondition to democracy separate from the public sphere, where consensus difficult to achieve in practice (de or whether democracy is necessary to foster “politics” are carried out. What a liberal la Fuente). Even social groups that we development (see, e.g. Przeworski et al. order guaranteed was the freedom to sometimes treat as unified actors are, in 2000). Not surprisingly, this dualistic contract and engage in the market and the practice, divided along a variety of opposition has not proven helpful, and most protection of private property. This limited dimensions, including indigenous identity scholars have ended up agreeing that, notion of rights was expanded in the (Hernández-Díaz) and gender (Ortiz-Ortega whatever the causal relation, these factors twentieth century, when, as T.H. Marshall and Barquet). All of this makes it difficult to are mutually reinforcing in practice. famously documented, so-called welfare arrive at any consensus, at the same time it O’Donnell has recently provided a states also extended “social” rights to their warns us that such efforts at consensus compelling argument about why that might citizens (Marshall 1949). Under a Keynesian building need to be sensitive to the various be (2004). He suggests that the discourses version of liberalism, citizens were entitled perspectives—including elite perspectives, as of democracy, development, and human not only to negative rights such as the Laserna, Navia and Power remind us in rights are all based upon a similar moral, freedom from unfair arrest, but also to different ways—that are contained within and in some cases legally established positive rights such as the right to health, any national context. Democratically conception of the human being as an agent, education, and housing security (Brown working through these complexities is often with rights and potential capabilities. This 2003). a central aspect of democratic politics as builds on the work of economist Amartya discussed in the various articles in the special Sen, who has argued that all humans have In Latin America, during the 1960s and 70s, issue. the right to achieve their most basic states (democratic or not) following this
16 development model embraced Import and quite different interpretations of their make democracy more inclusive, and change Substitution Industrialization, invested in meanings. the relations of power. This unresolved state-owned industries, and began to develop dilemma was the cause of the end of social services and welfare programs. During Navia and Delamazza describe the democracy in the first place, but the return the 1980s, however, newly democratizing contemporary Chilean case. They describe to democracy has not resolved it either. governments rethought this form of how the Concertación alliance took over the Instead, the Concertación governments economic development, often under pressure government in the first post-Pinochet chose to engage in a long-term political pact from the World Bank and the International democratic elections, accepting a limited with the right (and the elites) while gradually Monetary Fund, opting instead for a form of democracy that was the legacy of trying to bring down poverty. The problem, neoliberal strategy to let market mechanisms the Pinochet era. Elected under a says Delamazza, is that the electoral system determine what sorts of economic benefits constitution that included authoritarian inherited from Pinochet has kept the their citizens could enjoy. In some countries, enclaves and an electoral system that made political and economic elite in power, and like Chile and Brazil, neoliberal strategies led any radical legislation impossible, the four blocked any real participation from civil to economic growth and stability, albeit with successive Concertación governments opted society. As a result, neither the goals nor the high poverty levels and marked inequalities for a strategy of slow and gradual political practices of the pact have produced the between rich and poor. In others, like change while concentrating on producing hoped-for transformations. Instead, the Bolivia and Mexico, structural adjustment economic growth and bringing down the neoliberal economy has segmented society programs led to tremendous suffering poverty rates. In his article, Navia suggests and produced a political system that is among the poor, high unemployment rates, that the Concertación strategy of rapidly losing its representative character. and loss of rural livelihoods. To be sure, “democracy to the extent possible” was Thus, for Delamazza, despite economic popular resentment against the costs of based on the fear that any more radical growth, the failure of the Chilean neoliberal restructuring was a central factor changes would produce either a return to government to adopt participatory processes in the popular impeachment of Bolivia´s authoritarianism or to social conflicts. For that address the “need of development and neoliberal president, Sánchez de Lozada, and democracy to flourish, says Navia, the social integration” makes it difficult to the election of its current president, Evo government had to show that it could obtain the social adhesion necessary for Morales (Postero 2007). In Mexico, maintain a stable country and better democracy to flourish. (Actually Existing opposition to the North American Free distribute economic growth. . Navia argues Democracies: 280) Trade Agreement fueled the Zapatista that this was a successful strategy, as the uprising in the mid-1990s. Disagreements Concertación governments have “helped So, what does a democratic country need to with the neoliberal model are also heal deep social and political wounds and do to win the support of its people? Power’s motivating the general turn to the left across have presided over Chile’s most successful article about Brazil demonstrates that it may Latin America, from Venezuela to Ecuador period of economic growth, social inclusion be fairly difficult. He shows that although to Paraguay, as societies re-evaluate the need and democratic progress in the nation’s Brazil’s recent democratic governments have for state involvement in the economy. history.” (Actually Existing Democracies: maintained moderate growth and low 298) Thus, in his analysis, economic growth inflation, and have brought down poverty Thus, Latin Americans do not assume that was necessary for continued popular and and inequality, support for the democratic democracy necessarily entails protection of elite support for democracy. Slowly, with process is remarkably low among Brazil’s economic rights or that it necessarily this support, the governments have been able public. While democracy enjoys strong produces development and growth. But what to adopt political and constitutional reforms backing from elites, Power concludes that is the relationship? What role does the that minimize the power of the country’s Brazil’s public “remains unimpressed with economy play in fostering or undermining authoritarian enclaves, and deepen democracy.” Part of this may be a democracy? And how does it interact with democratic consolidation. generalized distrust factor among Brazilians, the other fundamental shift that occurred but Power argues that a more plausible during democratization, the rise of civil Delamazza is not so sanguine about the explanation to this puzzle is public society? The authors in this collection bring results. In his article, he argues that the recollection of pre-democracy economic to this discussion a variety of case studies fundamental dilemma of the Chilean society growth levels. The glory days of the 1950s has not changed since the 1970s: how to to the 1970s, during which the military
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oversaw an economic boom period with 7 as providing “a new method for the solution Endnotes percent average growth rates, raised of these problems” (Actually Existing 1 Brazilians’ expectations about what the Democracies: 183) See the regional public opinion polls from country could achieve. As a result, although Latinobarómetro, various years. Brazilian democracy has been wildly In like manner, Hernández-Díaz points to 2 In place of LARR’s normal internal review, successful in maintaining economic growth, the importance of local participatory each paper was revised in accordance with the reducing inequalities, and putting a broad processes to mediate the harsh effects of comments of the issue’s two editors. The entire social welfare safety net into place, the neoliberal economic restructuring in Mexico. draft issue was then sent to two anonymous failure of the democratic government, He describes how indigenous groups, reviewers for additional comments and especially during the first phase (1985- empowered in part by the democratic suggestions. 1994), to match these levels leaves many process, have taken advantage of political 3 It is also worth noting that this perspective is Brazilians ambivalent about democracy. decentralization to become key actors in also the one adopted by most, if not all, of the local and municipal government. While at authors associated most closely with the Leonardo Avritzer’s article about the national level, elites have pushed for a transitology literature. participatory budgeting processes suggests a mestizo nation-state, at the local level, 4 different reading of the Brazilian case. He indigenous people have maintained This was most obvious for the left, which at best viewed political democracy as a agrees that Brazilians, like most Latin collectivities that are culturally distinct. “bourgeois trap.” But the bourgeoisie, along Americans associate the harsh economic Over the last decade, indigenous groups with the oligarchy and middle classes more conditions of the neoliberal years with have used municipal government platforms generally, did not feel that they inevitably were democratic regimes. But that is only part of as a geopolitical space from which to the beneficiaries of the so-called trap they the story. Democracy, he reminds us, also demand recognition of their ethnic difference alleged set. This is why, historically, they were opened venues for new democratic and their vision of Mexico as culturally and even more antagonistic toward a type of experiences, especially at the local level. linguistically plural. A central part of this is regime that offered the potential to empower a majority who could then enact changes they Participatory budgeting, which has altered a recognition that by designing their own fundamentally opposed. the political landscape at the municipal level, strategies of economic development and could not have come into being without the social life, “as well as being recognized as 5 As Laserna and Carter stress, however, this restoration of democracy. Bottom-up subjects of the inalienable (intransferible) aspiration may be difficult to achieve in organizing has had major impacts: It has task of transforming their own reality, it will practice. created a political process that included the be possible to establish a new social pact 6 It is important to remember that this requisite poor in the political field for the first time; it that will include them in the life of the “balance” also requires ensuring that civil has changed the priorities of allocating nation” (Actually Existing Democracies: society’s role does not displace or supplant the public goods, giving the poor greatly 155). This is an excellent illustration of central institutions of representative political expanded access to them; and it has inserted O’Donnell’s argument about the relation democracy, a point emphasized by Laserna a new political group coming from below between democracy and development. and Navia. into politics. Participatory budgeting has 7 This tension is often pronounced within not resolved the legitimacy problems of the As all the authors included here suggest, political parties that have a strong foundation new Brazilian government that Power such experiences are central to an in social movements and civil society. This is outlines, but it has “provided the poor understanding of what it means to live “in particularly true for Evo Morales’ Movement citizen in Brazil with a vision that democracy an actually existing democracy” in Latin toward Socialism (MAS) in Bolivia, and to a may also create mechanisms to help him in America today. lesser extent the Workers Party in Brazil. spite of drawbacks related to the general situation of the country.” Participatory budgeting allows the poor to take into their own hands the process of decision-making on urban policies and resource allocation. Although it did not resolve the problems of the poor, it did allow them to see democracy
18 References MacEwan, Arthur Oxhorn, Philip, and Graciela Ducatenzeiler, eds. 1988 “Transitions from Authoritarian Rule.” 1998. What Kind of Market? What Kind of Arditti, Benjamin Latin American Perspectives 15 (Summer): Democracy? Latin America in the Age of 115-30. Neoliberalism. University Park: Pennsylvania 2008 “Arguments about the Left Turns in State University Press. Latin America, A Post-Liberal Politics?” Latin American Research Review 43(3): 59-81. Marshall, T.H. Petras, J., and S. Vieux 1949 Citizenship and Social Class. Garden Bachrach, Peter City, NY: Anchor Books. 1994. “The Transition to Authoritarian Electoral Regimes in Latin America.” Latin 1967 The Theory of Democratic Elitism: A American Perspectives 21 (Fall): 5-20. Critique. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. O’Donnell, Guillermo 1979 “Tensions in the Bureaucratic Postero, Nancy Brown, Wendy Authoritarian State and the Question of Democracy.” In The New Authoritarianism in 2007. Now We Are Citizens, Indigenous 2003 “Neoliberalism and the End of Liberal Latin America, ed. D. Collier, 285-318. Politics in Postmulticultural Bolivia. Stanford: Democracy.” Theory and Event, 7(1): 1-21 Princeton: Princeton University Press. Stanford University Press.
Caldeira, Teresa P.R. and James Holston 2004. “Human Development, Human Rights, Postero, Nancy and Leon Zamosc, eds. and Democracy.” In The Quality of 1999 “Democracy and Violence in Brazil.” Democracy: Theory and Applications, ed. G. 2004 “Indigenous Movements and the Indian Society for Comparative Study of Society and O’Donnell, J. Vargas Cullell and O. M. Question in Latin America.” In The Struggle History 1999: 691-729. Iazzetta, 9-92. Notre Dame, Ind.: University of for Indian Rights in Latin America. London: Notre Dame Press. Sussex Academic Press. Dahl, Robert 1971 Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition. O’Donnell, Guillermo, and Philippe C. Schmitter. Przeworski, Adam, et al. New Haven: Yale University Press. 1986. Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: 2000 Democracy and Development: Political Tentative Conclusions about Uncertain Institutions and Well-Being in the World, Fraser, Nancy Democracies. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins 1950-1990. Cambridge: Cambridge University University Press. Press. 1997 Justice Interruptus: Critical Reflections on the “Postsocialist” Condition. London: Routledge. Oxhorn, Philip Schumpeter, Joseph 1995 Organizing Civil Society: The Popular 1950 Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy. Garretón, Manuel Antonio Sectors and the Struggle for Democracy in New York: Harper and Row Publishers. Chile. University Park, Pennsylvania: 1989 The Chilean Political Process. Boston: Pennsylvania State University Press. Unwin Hyman. UNDP (United Nations Development Program) 2006a. “Conceptualizing Civil Society from 2000 Human Development Report: Human Karl, Terry Lynn the Bottom Up: A Political Economy Rights and Human Development. New York: Perspective.” In Civil Society and Democracy Oxford University Press. 1990 “Dilemmas of Democratization in Latin in Latin America, ed. Richard Feinberg, Carlos America.” Comparative Politics 23 (October): H. Waisman and Leon Zamosc, 59-84. New 2002 Human Development Report: 1-21. York: Palgrave Macmillan. Deepening Democracy in a Fragmented World. New York: Oxford University Press. Levine, Daniel 2006b. “Neopluralism and the Challenges for Citizenship in Latin America.” In Citizenship [Reproduced here as received from the 1988 “Paradigm Lost: Dependence To in Latin America, ed. J. S. Tulchin and M. Latin American Research Review.] n Democracy.” World Politics XL (April): Ruthenberg, 123-147. Boulder: Lynne Rienner 377-94. Publishers.
19 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1 calling all members Nominations Invited
Nominations Invited for 2012 Slate Call for Silvert Award Nominations Call for Bryce Wood Book Award Nominations Deadline: April 1, 2011 Deadline: May 1, 2011 Deadline: July 15, 2011 LASA members are invited to suggest The Kalman Silvert Award Committee nominees for Vice President and three invites nominations of candidates for the At each International Congress, the Latin members of the Executive Council, for terms year 2012 award. The Silvert Award American Studies Association presents the beginning June 1, 2012. Criteria for recognizes senior members of the profession Bryce Wood Book Award to the outstanding nomination include professional credentials who have made distinguished lifetime book on Latin America in the social sciences and previous service to LASA. Each contributions to the study of Latin America. and humanities published in English. candidate must have been a member of the The Award is given at each LASA Eligible books for the 2012 LASA Association in good standing for at least one International Congress. Past recipients of International Congress will be those year prior to nomination. Biographic data the Award were: John J. Johnson (1983); published between January 1, 2010 and June and the rationale for nomination must be Federico Gil (1985); Albert O. Hirschman 30, 2011. Although no book may compete sent by April 1, 2011, to: LASA Executive (1986); Charles Wagley (1988); Lewis more than once, translations may be Director Milagros Pereyra-Rojas
20 Members of the 2012 committee are: Call for Premio Iberoamericano Book Members of the 2012 committee are: Award Nominations John French, Chair Evelina Dagnino, Chair History Department Deadline: July 15, 2011 Depto Ciência Política - IFCH Carr Building (East Campus) Universidade Estadual de Campinas Duke University The Premio Iberoamericano is presented at R. Cora Coralina, s/n Durham, NC 27708-0719 each of LASA’s International Congresses for Cidade Universitária the outstanding book on Latin America in 13083-896 Campinas, SP Joanne Rappaport BRAZIL 4531 46th St NW the social sciences and humanities published Washington, DC 20016 in Spanish or Portuguese in any country. Marianne Schmink Eligible books for the 2012 award must PO Box 115530 Mauricio Font have been published between January 1, University of Florida 80 Park Ave, 12D 2010 and June 30, 2011. No book may Gainesville, FL 32611-7305 New York, NY 10016 compete more than once. Normally not in contention for the award are anthologies of Marta Núñez Sarmiento Santa Arias selections by several authors or reprints or Ave 35 Nº 3011, Playa University of Kansas re-editions of works published previously. La Habana Department of Spanish and Portuguese Books will be judged on the quality of the CUBA 1445 Jayhawk Blvd research, analysis, and writing, and the Lawrence, KS 66045-7590 Olivier Dabène significance of their contribution to Latin 49 Place Charles de Gaulle American studies. Books may be nominated José Antonio Cheibub 86000 Poitiers by authors, LASA members, or publishers. 3003 Weeping Cherry Dr. FRANCE Champaign, IL 61822 Individuals who nominate books are responsible for confirming the publication Fiona Macaulay date and for forwarding one copy directly to Latin American Studies Association University of Bradford each member of the award committee, at the Attn: Premio Iberoamericano Book Award Dept of Peace Studies, Richmond Road expense of those submitting the books. Nominations Bradford BD71DP West Yorkshire University of Pittsburgh UNITED KINGDOM All books must reach each member of the 315 South Bellefield Avenue committee by July 15, 2011. LASA 416 Bellefield Hall Claudio Fuentes membership is not a requirement for Pittsburgh, PA 15260 Grajales 1775, Tercer Piso receiving the award. The award will be Santiago announced at the Award Ceremony of the CHILE LASA2012 business meeting, and the Joseph F. Tulchin awardee will be publicly honored. 109 Coonamessett Circle E Falmouth, MA 02536
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21 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1
calling all members continued…
LASA Media Award LASA/Oxfam America Members of the 2012 Martin Diskin Martin Diskin Memorial Lectureship Memorial Lectureship Committee are: Deadline: July 15, 2011 Jeremy Adelman, Princeton University, Deadline: July 15, 2011 Chair; Teresa Valdés, CEDEM; Antônio The Latin American Studies Association is Sérgio Guimarães, Universidade de São pleased to announce its competition for the The Martin Diskin Memorial Lectureship is Paulo; Cynthia Arnson, Woodrow Wilson year 2012 LASA Media Award for offered at each LASA International Congress International Center for Scholars; and outstanding media coverage of Latin America. to an outstanding individual who combines Jonathan Fox, Oxfam America. These awards are made at every LASA Professor Diskin’s commitment to both Congress to recognize long-term journalistic activism and scholarship. contributions to analysis and public debate about Latin America in the United States and This distinguished lectureship is made in Latin America, as well as breakthrough possible largely by a generous contribution journalism. Nominations are invited from from Oxfam America, an organization LASA members and from journalists. committed to grassroots work, and one with Journalists from both the print and electronic which Martin Diskin was closely associated. media are eligible. The Committee will Ricardo Falla, S.J., was the 1998 Diskin carefully review each nominee’s work and Lecturer. Professor Gonzalo Sánchez Gómez select an award recipient. The award will be of the Instituto de Estudios Políticos y announced at the Award Ceremony of the Relaciones Internacionales, Universidad LASA2012 business meeting, and the awardee Nacional de Colombia, was the Lecturer in will be publicly honored. LASA may invite 2000. At LASA2001, Professor Elizabeth the awardee to submit materials for possible Lira Kornfeld, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, publication in the LASA Forum. Recent Santiago, Chile, delivered the Memorial recipients of the awards include: Carlos Dada, Lecture. In 2003, the Lectureship was El Faro (2010); Mario Osava, América Latina shared by Rodolfo Stavenhagen, El Colegio Inter Press Service (2009); Hollman Morris, de México, and Rosalva Aída Hernández Colombia (2007); Maria Ester Gilio (2006); Castillo, CIESAS, Mexico City. Professor Julio Scherer, journalist, Mexico (2004); Jonathan Fox, University of California/Santa Eduardo Anguita, freelance journalist, Buenos Cruz was the 2004 Lecturer. Professor Aires (2003); Guillermo González Uribe of William Leogrande, American University, Número, Bogotá (2001); Patricia Verdugo held the Lectureship in 2006; Dr. Orlando Aguirre of Conama, Chile and Diario 16, Fals Borda delivered the Lecture in 2007; Spain (2000); Gustavo Gorriti of Caretas, Professor Terry Karl, Stanford University, Lima, Peru (1998) was selected in 2009; and Dr. Carlos Ivan Degregori, Instituto de Estudios Peruanos, in To make a nomination, please send one copy 2010. of the journalist’s portfolio of recent relevant work to LASA Executive Director Milagros Nominations, including self-nominations, Pereyra-Rojas
22 LASA/Oxfam America All application materials must be submitted Charles A. Hale Fellowship Martin Diskin Dissertation Award electronically to
Applicants should submit a current To nominate a candidate, send these curriculum vitae; a dissertation abstract of materials no later than July 15, 2011, to 250 words; the dissertation outline or table Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, LASA Executive of contents; one sample chapter, which Director
23 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1
calling all members continued…
Luciano Tomassini Latin American International Relations Award
Deadline: September 1, 2011
The Latin American Studies Association is pleased to announce the establishment of the Luciano Tomassini Latin American International Relations Award to the author(s) of an outstanding book on Latin American Foreign Policies and International Relations published in English, Spanish or Portuguese in any country. Eligible books for the 2012 award must have been published between January 2008 and June 2011. Anthologies of selections by several authors are not eligible. Books will be judged on the originality of the research, the quality of the analysis and writing and the significance of their contribution to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The name of the award recipient will be announced at the Award Ceremony of the LASA 2012 business meeting and the awardee publicly honored on that occasion.
Nominations from LASA members and publishers are welcome. A nomination should include a statement justifying the nomination, five copies of the nominated book (one for each member of the award committee), the complete mailing address of the nominee, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. Each nomination packet should be sent directly to individual award committee members by September 1, 2011.
Names and addresses of members of the Tomassini Award selection committee will be published in the Summer 2011 LASA Forum and posted on LASA’s website.
The award has been made possible by a generous contribution from the Ford Foundation.
24 news from lasa
LASA2010 Survey Report by Milagros Pereyra-Rojas, Executive Director
As was the case for two previous LASA On logistics and scheduling, several Responses to past surveys have been International Congresses, LASA2010 respondents were displeased that similarly extremely helpful as the Association has meeting participants were asked to respond themed panels and sessions were scheduled moved to a following Congress, and the to a survey on a range of Congress-related at the same time. Some respondents also present survey will help provide significant issues. The slightly expanded 2010 expressed disappointment that the guidance as the Association prepares for questionnaire, with over 20 items, was again Congresses are moving from an 18-month LASA2012 and beyond. That many conducted on line. cycle to an annual cycle, since it may respondents also took the time to write in adversely affect the availability of university detailed comments, both positive and Seven-hundred four LASA2010 participants funding. negative, is especially appreciated. responded. Although in total numbers this Information that respondents provide was a decrease of 57 percent from 2009, Similar to previous Congresses, respondents ensures that LASA is able to continue what the number of 2010 respondents represented commenting on papers insisted on the need is working and improve on aspects of the 23% percent of LASA2010 participants, for increased quality and selectivity of the Congress that are not. a respectable response rate. papers; panel-related comments were focused on absent panelists or cancelled Once again, our gratitude! n There were three survey categories: panels. Additionally, many respondents said demographics; LASA2010; and future some rooms were overcrowded; others Congresses. Wording of the questions was wrote that more papers should be accepted kept as constant as possible to ensure and more sessions scheduled. LASA looks maximum comparability between the forward to seeking the elusive balance LASA2009 and LASA2010 surveys. between a process of increased quality/ selectivity and a schedule that maximizes The 2010 survey allowed respondents to thematic diversity and opportunities. indicate satisfaction with several specifics of the Congress, such as panels, receptions, the Respondents reported that the costs of Film Festival, child care, etc. Overall attending the Toronto Congress were satisfaction dipped only slightly from between one and two thousand dollars, LASA2009, from 79 percent to 75 percent. roughly equivalent to LASA2009 in Rio de Janeiro. While costs remained nearly The last question of the LASA2010 survey constant, ten percent more LASA2010 was open-ended and allowed respondents to respondents than for LASA2009 (seventy- leave both commendations and criticisms. three percent in 2010) received partial or We received 268 unique comments from 244 full reimbursement from a range of sources, (or 35 percent of) respondents. Suggestions/ most notably university funds and LASA criticisms were associated with the three grants. primary areas of the 2009 survey: logistics/ scheduling, papers/panels, and cost. LASA takes comments and suggestions about the Congresses very seriously. Many respondents to the LASA2009 survey were displeased that both the book exhibit and gran baile were missing in Rio; both returned at LASA2010.
25 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1 news from lasa
LASA Voluntary Support by Sandy Klinzing
The LASA2010 Congress was a major We gratefully acknowledge the following Marcelo Bergman success on many levels. One very important donors for their contributions to one or Michelle Bigenho measure was the number of colleagues, Latin more of the LASA funds since the previous Anne-Emanuelle Birn American, Caribbean, and student, who report in the spring issue of the LASA Robert Blecker were able to participate through some level Forum. (Note that in the interest of Bethany Bloomston of travel support. Of the 420 eligible conserving space, donors are named Simone Bohn requests for funding, 306 individuals were only once, regardless of the number of Judit Ester Bokser Misses-Liwerant selected for travel grants provided by one of contributions or gifts to multiple funds. Fabian Borges-Herrero the various sources of support, including the A special thank-you to those donors who Felipe Botero LASA Endowment ($323,848), foundation frequently designate more than one fund Merle Bowen grants ($156,230), and the LASA Travel for their support!) Jefferson Boyer ($6,263), the Student ($6,204), and the Viviane Brachet-Marquez Indigenous and Afro-descendant Funds Maria de Fátima Abdalla Philip Brenner ($14,642). In addition, LASA contributed Michael Abeyta Claes Brundenius $25,000 in $500 grants to facilitate student Jonathan Ablard Eva Paulino Bueno participation in Toronto. Judith Adler Hellman Brian Burke Carolina Aguilera Insunza Jo-Marie Burt A most sincere thank-you to the generous Manuel Alcántara Sáez Steven Butterman contributors to the success of the Congress Paul Allatson Vegard Bye and to LASA funds during the past year! Jesus Alonso-Regalado Steven Byrd Gina Alvarado Merino Amalia Cabezas The LASA Endowment continues to grow, Sonia Alvarez Bruce Calder thanks to a somewhat healthier return on Silvia Alvarez Curbelo Manuel Camacho Higareda investment in recent months and new Thomas Anderson John Cameron contributions. One chief source of new Robert Andolina Colin Campbell support for the Endowment is LASA Life Karina Ansolabehere Douglas Carranza-Mena Memberships, where a full $2,000 of the Nancy Appelbaum Leah Carroll $2,500 total is a contribution to either the Rogério Arantes Manuel Ángel Castillo García General or the Humanities Endowment Rubiela Arboleda Gómez Amy Chazkel Fund. During the past year, six LASA Indira Arce Marc Chernick members have committed to a Life Arturo Arias David Close Membership: Timothy Scully, Kathryn Juan Pablo Artinian John Coatsworth Sikkink, Kenneth Roberts, John Stephens, Lúcia Avelar Deb Cohen Brian Loveman and Terry Karl. Adding the Bruce Bagley Jose Collazo honorary Life Membership provided to Beth Baker Cristales Rudi Colloredo-Mansfeld Kalman Silvert Award recipient Edelberto Liza Bakewell Maria Lorena Cook Torres-Rivas brings the number of current Stephen Baranyi Sara Cooper paid and honorary Life Memberships to 88. Llana Barber Nicholas Copeland An effort to attract more Life Memberships Rosemary Barbera Jose Eduardo Corbetta was undertaken during the past 18 months Cleoni Maria Barboza Fernandes Javier Corrales by the members of the LASA Fundraising María Concepción Barrón Tirado Linda Craft Committee. Many of the newest Peter Beattie Benjamin Creutzfeldt commitments came as a result of contacts Caroline Beer Héctor Cruz Feliciano made by Committee members. Again, thank Vera Regina Beltrão Marques Marco Cupolo de Maio you! Catherine Benamou James Martín Cypher Allyson Benton Jose Guillermo De Los Reyes Janine Berg Anna Deeny
26 Carmen Diana Deere Gustavo Gordillo de Anda Wendy Kramer Celia Del Palacio Karen Graubart Catherine Krull Ralph Della Cava Merilee Grindle Acacia Zeneida Kuenzer Robin Lauren Derby Kevin Guerrieri Antonio La Pastina John Dinges Elisa Guimarães Cecilia Lucia La Torre Ramírez Jorge Domínguez Bret Gustafson Jane Landers Héctor Domínguez-Ruvalcaba Matthew Gutmann Brooke Larson Jason Dormady Liesl Haas Sharon Lean Lindsay DuBois Caroline Hale Jongsoo Lee Enrique Dussel Peters Roger Hale Catherine LeGrand Jordana Dym Lenore Hale Kathryn Lehman Susan Eckstein Elizabeth Hale David Lehmann June Carolyn Erlick Charles Hale William LeoGrande Juan Carlos Esparza Ochoa Anne Hallum Maria Josefina León Tomaz Espósito Neto Nora Hamilton Felipe León Olivares Christina Ewig E. Brooke Harlowe Marilea Lima Prazeres Amaral Luisa Farah Schwartzman Neil Harvey Eloise Linger Karen Faulk Mariângela Haswani Elsa Llenderrozas Kendra Fehrer Hugh Hazelton Soledad Loaeza Carmen Ferradas Kevin Healy Paul Lokken Ricardo Ffrench-Davis Adrian Hearn Luz Maria Londoño Jan Flora Theodore Henken Ryan Long Cornelia Butler Flora Adam Henne Oscar López Castaño Jan Flora Luz Maria Hernandez Saenz Debora Lopreite Mayra Fortes Jesus Alejandro Hernandez-Ramirez M. Brinton Lykes James Foster Tom Hewitt Cecilia MacDowell Santos Jonathan Fox Tina Hilgers Felipe Magalhães Denise Frazier Barbara Hogenboom Carlos Marichal Bonnie Frederick Christina Holmes Juan Martínez-Pérez Laurie Frederik Meer James Howe José Roberto Martínez-Ramirez Henry Frundt Jennifer Hoyt Yolanda Martínez-San Miguel Emilio José Gallardo Saborido Ernesto Isunza Vera Francine Masiello Sandra Garabano Stephen Jacobs Yolanda Massieu Trigo Martha García Ortega Mariela Sonia Jiménez Vásquez Suzeley Mathias David Garrett Jon Jonakin Shigeko Mato Denise Gastaldo Terry Karl Shannan Mattiace Anibal Gauna Sara Karlik Orchid Mazurkiewicz Adrián Gimate-Welsh Cristóbal Kay Katherine McCaffrey Juana Goergen David Kazanjian Cynthia McClintock Dara Goldman Margaret Keck Shelley McConnell Brian Gollnick Susan Kellogg Stephanie McNulty Eduardo Gomes Paul Kellogg Teresa Meade Miriam Gomes Saraiva Maria Teresa Miceli Kerbauy Milton Mejia Quiroga Gabriel Gómez Gwen Kirkpatrick Mariselle Meléndez Cristián Gómez Olivares June Komisar Liz Ivett Meléndez López Rafael Gómez Serrano Sinan Koont Lucia Melgar Palacios Argelia González Hurtado Lisa Kowalchuk Johanna Mendelson Forman
27 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1
voluntary support continued…
María Gabriela Merlinsky Laurence Prescott Georgia Seminet Alejandro Meter Jason Pribilsky Ana Serra Carmen Millán de Benavides Marie Price Kenneth Shadlen Kathleen Millar Lara Putnam Yasmine Shamsie Frederick Moehn Roberto Diego Quintana Maureen Shea Sylvia Molloy Jahel Quiroga Carrillo Jonathan Shefner Ellen Moodie Telésforo Ramírez García Rachel Sieder Nancy Morris Patricia Ramirez Parra Marta Josefina Sierra Jeremy Mumford Joanne Rappaport María del Carmen Sillato de Gómez Patrick Murphy Susan Reider Daniel Silva David Myers Joy Renjilian-burgy Mojana Silva Silvia Nagy-Zekmi Israel Reyes Fábio Borges Silva Maria Paula Nascimento Araujo Juan Rial Telma Silva Ricardo Nava Olivares Analiese Richard Denise Silveira Marcelo Gabriel Nazareno Graciela Riquelme Dennis Smith Lise Nelson Bryan Roberts Samuel Soares Alves Diane Nelson Néstor Rodríguez Natalia Sobrevilla Perea Lise Nelson Silvia Rodriguez Maeso Maritza Sotomayor Lincoln Narcelio Noronha María Cristina Rodríguez-Pagán David Sowell Liisa North Francisco Rojas-Aravena Rose Spalding Karl Offen Carlos Romero Méndez Richard Stahler-Sholk María Rosa Olivera-Williams David Romine Lynn Stephen Leslie Olmos María de Lourdes Rosas-López Karen Stolley Briseida Gwuendolin Olvera Joshua Rosenthal Joseph Straubhaar Michael O’Sullivan Evan Ross Jean Stubbs Juan Luis Paniagua Soto Mérida Rúa Sudha Swarnakar Francisco Panizza Jeffrey Rubin Monica Szurmuk Wil Pansters José Ramón Ruisánchez Serra Maria Socorro Tabuenca Córdoba Tianna Paschel Estela Ruíz Larraguivel Yuriko Takahashi Robert Pastor Helen Safa Silvia Tandeciarz Rossana Patron Héctor Luis Saint-Pierre Analisa Taylor Mario Pecheny Maria Josefina Saldaña-Portillo Strom Thacker Ricardo Pedroarias Ricardo Sánchez Esquivel Millicent Thayer Jose Roberto Gabriel Pereira Daniela Sandler Lorrin Thomas Anibal Pérez-Liñán Victoria Sanford Teresa Rosemary Thorp Eric Perramond Patience Schell Camelia Nicoleta Tigau Thomas Perreault Veronica Schild Heidi Tinsman Charles Perrone Freya Schiwy Sergio Toro Maureira Manuela Picq Lavinas Mark Schneider Silvio Torres-Saillant Sonja Pieck Ben Ross Schneider Patricia Tovar Rojas Ana Tereza Pinto Filipecki Mark Schneider Erica Townsend-Bell Juan Poblete Sarah Schoellkopf Tania Triana Alison Post Karl Erik Schøllhammer Catherine Tucker Nancy Postero Lars Schoultz Angel Tuninetti Catherine Poupeney Hart Andrew Schrank Miren Uriarte Mary Louise Pratt Betina Schürmann Beatriz Urraca Daniel Premo T.M. (Tomás) Scruggs Suely Mara V G de Araújo
28 Javier Vadell María Eugenia Valdés Vega Manuel Vasquez Ivani Vassoler-Froelich Arnold Vela Paulo Venancio Filho Jose Raimundo Vergolino Liberio Victorino Ramírez Brian Wampler Rebecca Weitz-Shapiro Clifford Welch Laurence Whitehead Timothy Wickham-Crowley Robert Wilcox Stephen Henry Wilkinson Heather Williams Eliza Willis Bruce Wilson Peter Winn Alejandra Wolff Rojas Wendy Wolford Michael Wright Deborah Yashar Anna Zalik María Elizabeth Rosa Zamora Ramírez Neyer Zapata Vásquez Patricia Zavella Robin Zenger Ana Celia Zentella Ann Zulawski
For information about contributions to any of the LASA funds, please contact the Secretariat at 412-648-1907 or
29 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1 on lasa2012
From Toronto to San Francisco Looking Ahead to LASA2012 by Gabriela Nouzeilles, Program Co-Chair | Princeton University | [email protected] and Timothy J. Power, Program Co-Chair | University of Oxford | [email protected]
Some six months before the hugely to find people who have strong reputations stable at 962 and 741, respectively. In successful LASA2010 meeting in Toronto, and whose research represented, in our view, addition to driving notable gains in the LASA Secretariat was already laying the the most interesting and/or innovative trends selectivity and quality, the massive decline in groundwork for a conference to be held in their fields. We also sought to achieve a individual submissions has simplified the more than two years later. LASA will next good mix of senior and junior faculty, as work of the track chairs, who no longer convene in San Francisco May 23-26, 2012. well as representatives of U.S. and foreign have to assemble large numbers of panels This will be the Association’s landmark 30th academic institutions, including Latin from disparate abstracts. When panels are International Congress. It will also be the American, Canadian, European, and self-initiated by groups of like-minded first Congress to be held in the continental Australasian universities. colleagues ahead of time, the result is a United States since Las Vegas some eight much more coherent conference program. years earlier, and it will be the first LASA The selected track chairs were subsequently meeting in California since Los Angeles in approved by LASA and were invited to a LASA’s new system overwhelmingly favors 1992. The Congress theme, apropos of the very useful organizational meeting (chaired submissions of complete panels rather than decade that is now beginning, is “Toward a by Javier) at the LASA Congress in Toronto. individual paper proposals, and the feedback Third Decade of Independence in Latin Fortunately, we were able to round out the from the Toronto meeting was very positive. America.” full Program Committee two months before For 2012, the practice will once again favor the Toronto meeting, so that a full Call for pre-formed panels, and we expect demand to As the newly appointed Program Co-Chairs Papers—including the names and institutions be very high due to the attractiveness of San for LASA2012, we are honored to be of all 68 of our selfless co-organizers—was Francisco as a conference site. Therefore, we working with LASA president Maria printed in the program book at LASA 2010. strongly urge colleagues to begin their Hermínia Tavares de Almeida and Executive You can also download the 2012 CFP from discussions and networking now, so that Director Milagros Pereyra on the the LASA website. whole panels can begin to take shape well in organization of this major event. We are advance of formal application to LASA. also grateful for the strong support and wise The initial meeting of the Program That being said, there is a finite number of insights of our two predecessors for the Committee (held on October 8th, 2010, in panels that can be accommodated in three Toronto Congress, Javier Corrales and Nina Toronto) proved both instructive and days, so we expect selectivity to continue to Gerassi-Navarro, who organized such a productive. The track co-chairs will play a rise for the San Francisco meeting. marvelous conference in Ontario. Javier and crucial role in assembling the final program Nina will prove a tough act to follow, but for San Francisco 2012. During this Although it was challenging at times to we intend to show them that imitation is the meeting, we considered some rather pressing undertake the necessary downscaling of the sincerest form of flattery. issues of demand and selectivity as we acceptance rate for Toronto, Javier and Nina shaped a strategy for program development. did a terrific job of rationalizing the We have been preparing the LASA2012 As is well known throughout the programming process, and we aim to build program since last summer, and we are Association, the last decade saw a massive on their example. We view the high demand pleased to report that our work has so far increase in paper proposals submitted to for Congress participation not as a problem, run smoothly. Our first task was to identify LASA conferences—the aggregate number but as a sign of LASA’s energy and the co-chairs for the 34 thematic tracks increased from 1,406 in 2004 to 4,184 in dynamism—in fact we have lost track of the approved for San Francisco. Following 2009. As the situation became increasingly number of times that colleagues have told us recent LASA practice, we recruited not one unsustainable, individual paper proposals that LASA is their favorite conference to but two colleagues for every track, and we had to be discouraged in favor of pre- attend! Holding the next Congress in the divided the outreach efforts between the two assembled panels. Because LASA has been spectacular surroundings of the Bay Area is of us. In general terms, Gabriela was in successful in making these changes known to sure to add to the attractiveness of LASA charge of identifying and contacting scholars the membership, the number of individual 2012. Along with the President, the who were more linked to the humanities, paper proposals (i.e. not submitted as part of Executive Council, and the Secretariat, we while Tim focused on scholars closer to the a panel) fell sharply from 3202 in 2009 (Rio look forward to working with the Program social sciences. Although the criteria used in de Janeiro) to only 651 in 2010 (Toronto), Committee to produce a memorable 30th the selection were varied, we made an effort while self-assembled panels were far more International Congress. n
30 RESERVATION FORM FOR THE LASA2012 EXHIBIT
Organization Name Address City State Zip Submitted by Title of submitter Phone (office) Fax Email Internet site Payment Enclosed Check in the amount of
FULL EXHIBIT SPACE (10” x 8”)
$ 795 Commercial / University Press $ 695 each additional commercial $ 695 Charitable Organization (no items for sale) $ 595 each additional charitable
DISPLAY YOUR BOOK
$ 75 First Title $ 55 each additional title One display copy of each book listed is also required as part of the exhibit fee. One order form is also required as part of the exhibit fee. If you have more than 5 titles you may contact Ma. Soledad Cabezas at [email protected] or (412) 648-7929
TAKE-ONE LITERATURE DISPLAY (one page)
$ 90 (letter size / legal size) 1 page $ 25 each additional Up to 250 For two pages or more please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
LASA2012 PROGRAM BOOKLET ADVERTISING
$ 500 Full page (7.5” w x 10.5” h) $ 300 Half page (7.5” w x 4 3/4 h)
TERMS OF PAYMENT/CANCELLATION
Cancellations If an exhibitor is forced to withdraw from participation by February 15, 2012, all sums paid by the exhibitor less a $250 service fee will be refunded. No refunds will be issued after February 16, 2012. Cancellations are not effective until received in writing by LASA. No refund will be made if an exhibitor fails to occupy the space. No refund on late or no arrival materials. Payment A minimum deposit of 50% of the total booth rental fee is required. Booths will not be assigned without the 50% deposit. Failure to remit payment for the booth rental by January 15, 2012 constitutes cancellation of the contract, and the space will be subject to resale without refund.
Return form to: LASA Book Exhibit 416 Bellefield Hall University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260 Telephone: 412-648-7929 Email: [email protected]
31 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1 lasa sections Section Reports
Asia and the Americas, formerly Secretary-Treasurer Vladimir Rouvinski comparative work on trade and financial “Latin America and the Pacific Rim” informed Section members that currently the experience, and development finance; Ariel Neantro Saavedra-Rivano, Chair Section has 57 members and that there had Armony (USA, advancing a research agenda been no spending between the Rio and the on China at the Center for Latin American The Section Business Meeting was called to Toronto Congresses. The participants then Studies at the University of Miami; Julia order at approximately 6:30 p.m. on proceeded to the nomination and election of Strauss (UK) talked about her work as editor Thursday, October 7, 2010, with Neantro the Chair. Dr. Enrique Dussel Peters of China Quarterly and her interest in Saavedra-Rivano presiding as Chair. After (Universidad Nacional, México) and Dr. organizing a workshop on China and Latin verifying the presence of thirteen Section Adrian Hearn (University of Sydney) were America; Simon Shen (Hong Kong), members, including the Secretary-Treasurer accepted as Co-chairs with unanimity by establishing contacts with researchers in (Vladimir Rouvinski) and all five members those present. Professor Vladimir Rouvinski Latin America, in particular, with regard to of the Executive Council, the Chair (Icesi University) will continue as Secretary- courses on China; and Wo-Hon Kim (South proposed the following meeting agenda: Treasury until the next LASA Congress. Korea), research on policymaking in the Section’s Chair report on the Section Elections of the Executive Council will take Korean government related to Latin activities; Secretary-Treasury’s report on the place by email, and the new Co-chairs will America. Section’s finances; Election of new Chair(s) be responsible for conducting those elections and members of Executive Council. according to LASA rules. The following members of the Executive Council were subsequently elected: Ariel Professor Saavedra-Rivano commented on Members of the Section then talked about Armony (University of Miami); Benjamin his participation as the Section’s Chair for their activities and current academic Creutzfeldt (Universidad Externado de three (non consecutive) terms and interests: Vladimir Rouvinski (Colombia), Colombia); Jorge di Masi (Universidad de emphasized the need for renewal of the the study of the emergence of new actors in La Plata); Ricardo Ffrench-Davis Muñoz leadership. He indicated that the work of the Andean region (China, South Korea and (Universidad de Chile); Kevin Gallagher the Section after the Rio Congress had been Russia); Adrian Hearn (Australia), the (Boston University); Won-Ho Kim (Hankuk mostly concerned with two issues, the promotion of collaborative research on University of Foreign Languages); Kathleen organization of the Section’s panel at the Chinese communities in Mexico and Cuba, López (Rutgers University); Gonzalo Paz Toronto Congress and the Section’s web Hong Kong and Chinese foreign policy, (George Washington University); Neantro page. The Section’s panel “Responses to the security issues, perceptions of the Chinese on Saavedra-Rivano (University of Tsukuba Financial Crisis in East Asia and Latin foreign relations; Neantro Saavedra-Rivano and Universidade de Brasília); and Simon America: Lessons from a Comparative (Japan) commented on his research on Shen (Hong Kong Institute of Education). Analysis,” was chaired jointly by Neantro official development assistance of China at Saavedra-Rivano (University of Tsukuba) the University of Tsukuba; Kathleen M. and Adrian H. Hearn (University of Sydney); López (USA), continuing research on Asian Bolivia Professor Ricardo Ffrench-Davis Diasporas in Latin America; Ursula Prutsch Chris Krueger, Chair (Universidad de Chile) served as discussant. (Germany) collaborative research on The session was attended by 20 people. Japanese immigration to Brazil; Kevin La Sección fue formada después del Saavedra-Rivano reminded attendees that Gallagher (USA), his new book The Dragon Congreso de 2009 en Rio y tuvo su primera the Section has a page at Facebook, which, in the Room: Chinese and Latin American reunión en el Congreso de Toronto. Ha sido however, does not attract enough attention. Business; Enrique Dussel Peters (Mexico), coordinada por un Comité Interino formado Since other LASA Sections have shared changing the way of sharing information por Chris Krueger (Consultant); Miguel similar concerns, it was decided that LASA among the Section members; Benjamin Buitrago (German Institute of Global and would be in charge of hosting a number of Creutzfeldt (Colombia) discussed his Area Studies); Miguel Centellas (University Sections’ pages. The webpage is important translation book project Construyendo el of Mississippi); Martín Mendoza (Tulane in order to have a space for interaction Pácifico and his particular interest in University); y Victor Unda (Utepsa among members, and it was expected that a researching Colombian relations with China; University). Actualmente cuenta con cerca web page template common for all Sections Ricardo Ffrench-Davis (Chile) conducted de 100 miembros; unos 37 de ellos will be ready by November 2010. research on economic development policy, estuvieron presentes durante la reunión en
32 Toronto. La Sección está en proceso de Católica do Rio de Janeiro); Pedro Erber indicated that they wanted clearer elegir formalmente a un consejo con la (Rutgers University); and Amy Chazkel (City explanations regarding the specific tasks of ayuda del Secretariado de LASA. University of New York/Queens College) each officer of the Advisory Board, as well as were elected to these positions. information on the total amount of Section Desde las primeras conversaciones, los funds available, and how they have been interesados en la Sección han expresado su The Brazil Section offered its traditional used in recent years. It was felt that this interés en colaborar en lo posible con la reception to its members and guests on information needed to be circulated before Asociación de Estudios Bolivianos y otras Thursday, October 7th, when the prizes for members could contemplate whether or not instituciones bolivianas o internacionales best book, and for best article on Brazil were membership dues should be increased. This que promueven estudios e intercambios announced: Amy Chazkel won the information would also facilitate the entre estudiosos. Otro objetivo es poder latter with “Social Life and Civic Education planning of future activities and projects. ofrecer publicaciones digitales de in the Rio de Janeiro City Jail,” (March Chris Chiappari offered to look for this documentos profesionales sobre Bolivia, 2009 edition of Journal of Social History); information and send it to all members via especialmente las de los socios de la Sección. Jan Hoffman French was awarded the prize the listserv, along with a link to the LASA Existe la esperanza de contar con una for the best book, Legalizing Identities: Manual on Sections. pasantía desde la Universidad de Pittsburgh Becoming Black or Indian in Brazil’s para ayudar en este sentido. Northeast (The North Carolina Press). The Arturo Arias requested that Section members Executive Committee decided to offer a vote for candidates to the LASA Executive En el período 2011-2012, se apunta a special Award of Merit to Professor James Council that would best represent the consolidar la Sección, ampliando tanto Green for the publication of his book Apesar interests of our Section. And he reminded us la membresía como el intercambio y de vocês – Oposição à Ditadura no Brazil that as a Section, we also have a right to la colaboración entre los socios. Una (Companhia das Letras Press). The members nominate candidates for the Executive vez formalmente definido el Comité had decided to keep the reception on a Council. Coordinadora, se planificarán las Thursday, rather then at the same day as the actividades para el período, priorizando other Sections (Friday/Saturday). There was a discussion of plans and la colección y publicación de materiales, activities for the coming term. These el reclutamiento de miembros, y la include: offering graduate student preparación para LASA San Francisco Central America scholarships (it was resolved that members con eventos previos/posteriores en Chris Chiappari, Co-chair of the Section’s Advisory Board would be San Francisco y otras ciudades. responsible for outlining the specific The Central America Section held its requirements for these scholarships as well Business Meeting on Friday, October 8, as evaluating applications); preparing the Brazil 2010, at 6:30 pm. Thirty-one Section CFP for LASA2012 in San Francisco; and César Braga-Pinto and Eduardo R. Gomes, members attended the meeting, along with updating the Section’s Statement/Declaration Co-chairs Section Co-Chair Chris Chiappari (Co-Chair concerning Honduras. Yajaira Padilla could not attend the The Brazil Section Business Meeting was conference), Section Secretary Ellen Moodie, Other announcements included the news held on October 8, 2010 and conducted by Section Treasurer Aaron Schneider and that Dr. Edelberto Torres-Rivas had garnered the Co-chairs. The Treasurer Emanuelle Advisory Board member Héctor Perla. At the Kalman Silvert Award (following his Oliveira presented the annual report about the time of the meeting, Section Membership nomination by Section members), and that the membership and financial situation of stood at 238 members, entitling the Section there had been an on-line election for the Section. As of September 15, the Section to four panel sessions. Section Officers (1 Co-Chair, 2 Advisory had approximately 381 members. Board Members, 1 Student Representative). The first item on the agenda was an update As of November 23, 2010, the newly elected After considering other proposals on how to concerning the CAS website. Chris officers of the Section are: José Juan Colín improve Section performance in the LASA Chiappari informed Section members that (University of Oklahoma), Co-chair; William meetings, the members who were present LASA would be in charge of designing and Clary (University of the Ozarks) and Sonja (about 40) came to the conclusion that it maintaining a new webpage for the Section. Wolf (UNAM), Advisory Board Members; should keep its “prize policy,” but substitute In light of this change, the Section will need and Verónica Ríos (University of Texas/ the student term prize for a best dissertation to reevaluate the current position designated Austin), Student Representative. prize, with the same value as the prize for for a Section Webmaster and how best to best article, i.e., US$200. manage the Section listserv.
The Executive Council had three vacant The second item was the organization and positions. After the nominations, Karl finances of the Section, including possibly Erik Schollhammer (Pontifícia Universidade raising membership dues. Members
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Colombia (CUNY John Jay College) Advisory Council; Cuba Virginia M. Bouvier, Chair Marc Chernick (Georgetown University) Sheryl Lutjens, Co-chair Chair, Human Rights Committee; Elvira The Colombia Section Business Meeting Sánchez-Blake (Michigan State University) The Cuba Section has continued to face the took place on Friday, October 8, 2010 at and Brett Troyan (State University of New challenges of maintaining academic relations 6:30 p.m. with some 39 Section members York/Cortland) Chairs of the Montserrat among Cuban, U.S., and other scholars in present. The meeting opened with words of Ordóñez and Michael Jiménez Prize the face of U.S. governmental regulations welcome from Virginia (Ginny) M. Bouvier, Committees. Additional members of the and restrictions. The Section worked Chair of the Section. She noted the committees were also elected. actively to promote the participation of increased participation of members in academics and intellectuals resident in Cuba Section activities, the establishment of new Hayley Froysland, Juan Guillermo Gómez in the October 2010 Toronto Congress. The committees, and the vibrant Colombian García, and Lina del Castillo served as efforts of individuals, organizations, and the scholarship represented in more than a Committee members for Book Prizes for Section are seen in the total of 76 Cubans dozen panels at LASA2010. She reviewed 2009-2010. They elected Debra Castillo, who traveled to Toronto for the Congress, the development of a Constitution and Caterina Vallejo, and Carmen Elisa Acosta funded wholly or in part by LASA, the Ford By-Laws over the last two years that outlines as jurors for the Montserrat Ordóñez Prize, Foundation, SSRC, and the Reynolds the roles and responsibilities for the Section and James Sanders, Patricia Londoño, and Foundation, among other institutions. A leadership, and encouraged Section Michael LaRosa (who withdrew before special thanks to Carmen Castillo and Members to find ways to bring their completion of the process due to Lourdes Pérez for the tremendous graduate students into LASA and Section technological issues with book retrieval), as contribution they made this year! activities. She noted that the Section jurors for the Michael Jiménez Prize. Based currently had 150 members. on the review of approximately one dozen On the eve of the Congress, the Section had entries for the two prizes, the Section more than 400 members! The Section Officers discussed the work of the various awarded the $500 first prize for the 2010 Business Meeting in Toronto was attended committees. The Program Committee Monserrat Ordóñez Book Prize to Marta by approximately 100 members. Highlights (chaired by Vice-Chair María Clemencia Elena Montoya Vélez (autora), Françoise of the Business Meeting included: the Ramírez) had reviewed LASA proposals and Escarpit (trans.), Rompre le silence, Je presentation of Fidel Castro’s new book, La recommended 3 panels for Section t’accuse Pinochet: Chroniques du 11 victoria estratégica (2010), by Miguel sponsorship; Juana Suárez ably oversaw septembre 1973 au Stade national de Barnet, President of UNEAC; the publication of 17 editions of the Section’s Santiago (Elytis, 2009); second prize to Lucy posthumous celebration of the life and work monthly Boletín; Leah Carroll discussed Guamá, Avelina Pancho, Elena Rey, Antigua of Dr. José Juan Arrom, a noted philologist anticipated changes in the Section website era más duro: hablan las mujeres indígenas who studied and taught at Yale University, that she has maintained for many years; Ana de Antioquia, Colección Autonomía with a letter honoring Arrom written by María Bidegain presented a proposal by the Indígena, No. 3 (Bogotá, D.C.: Centro de Roberto Fernández Retamar and read by Human Rights Committee (chaired by Cooperación al Indígena-CECOIN; Esteban Morales; and the awarding of the Winifred Tate) for the Section to continue its Organización Indígena de Antioquia–OIA, Section prize for lifetime contribution to activities on the Palace of Justice case; and 2009); and third prize to Mónica Espinosa Cuban Studies to Dr. Jorge I. Domínguez of Juana Suárez and Lina del Castillo presented Arango, La civilización montés: la visión Harvard University. The resolution calling a proposal from the prize committee to india y el trasegar de Manuel Quintín Lame for a change in U.S. policy in general and improve the functioning and capacity of that en Colombia (Bogotá: Universidad de los with regard to academic exchanges, committee. Section members were invited to Andes, Departamento de Antropología, prepared by Reid Reading and others for add more funds to the Michael Jiménez Centro de Estudios Socioculturales-CESO, adoption and dissemination by LASA, was Book Prize, which has exhausted its initial 2009). First place for the Michael Jiménez shared with the membership. The first stage donation. These activities will be continued Book Prize was won by Alejandro Reyes of Section elections was conducted at the and recommendations acted upon in the Posada and Liliana Duica, Guerreros y end of the Business Meeting, followed by the coming term. campesinos: el despojo de la tierra en Section reception. Colombia (Bogotá: Norma, 2009), with New officers elected at the Business Meeting honorable mentions to Francisco Gutiérrez The Section sponsored four panels at the include: Juana Suárez (University of Sanín, ¿Lo que el viento se llevó? Los Toronto Congress, some of which had Kentucky) Chair; Lina María Del Castillo partidos políticos y la democracia en standing-room only attendance: “La Senn (Iowa State University) Vice Chair; Colombia, 1958-2002 (Bogotá: Norma, sociedad cubana y la crisis global: impactos, Virginia M. Bouvier, (U.S. Institute of Peace) 2007), and Carlo Nasi, Cuando callan los estrategias y perspectivas”; “Cultura, Secretary/Treasurer and Advisory Council; fusiles. Impacto de la paz negociada en comunicación y esfera pública cubanas”; Brian Joseph Burke (University of Arizona), Colombia y en Centroamérica (Bogotá: “Cuba-U.S. Academic Exchange: Webmaster; Leah Carroll (U.C. Berkeley), Grupo Editorial Norma – Universidad de los Experiences and Expectations”; and “El Listserv maintenance; Patricia Tovar Rojas Andes, 2007). Conflicto Bilateral Cuba - Estados Unidos.”
34 Other activities undertaken by the Section Participants suggested making a call to the next LASA Congress. Besides taking into between the Rio and Toronto Congresses membership to make decisions about how account the merit and quality of the paper, include the maintenance and upgrading of the Section can better allocate its funds given the selection committee will consider a the Section website and planning with the the new circumstances and CPP’s interests. preference for supporting young scholars, leadership of Revista Temas for a “best essay particularly graduate students and post- in Cuban Studies” competition for young As per the Section’s customs, Benjamin doctoral fellows. scholars. Initiatives for the coming year Arditi (UNAM, Mexico) left his post as include further work with new generations vice-president and began his term as Moving forward into 2011, the Section will of scholars in the area of Cuban Studies as president during the Business Meeting. Due prepare its website and strengthen avenues well as organizing for the celebration of 35 to scarce member participation during the of communication among its members. This years of Cubans’ participation in LASA. Business Meeting, the elections for two new will include the creation of an open-source board members will take place on November bibliographic reference, with particular Electronic voting by those unable to 30, 2010. attention to working papers and conference participate in Toronto constituted the second presentations. stage of the Section elections. Three Given the rising costs of travel, the reduction members of the Section Executive have in university budgets for conference travel, The final item of business was the election of completed their three-year terms; the service and to ensure better funding for prizes and new officers. Julian Durazo-Herrmann to the Section of Phil Brenner (Executive travel awards for the next LASA Congress, (Université du Québec à Montréal) was Committee), Milagros Martínez (Executive the 2009-10 board decided to save the elected Section Chair for 2010-2012, and Committee), and Iraida López (Treasurer) is Section’s financial resources this year. For Tyler Dickovick (Washington and Lee greatly appreciated. The Section recognizes, this reason, the Section did not offer prizes University) will be the Secretary-Treasurer. with great gratitude, the deep dedication and or awards. longstanding contributions of Milagros Martínez to the development of academic Defense, Public Security and Democracy exchanges with Cuba and the Section’s Decentralization and Sub-national Bertha García-Gallegos and Orlando Pérez, efforts to sustain Cuban participation in Governance Co-chairs LASA Congresses. Milagros has played a Tyler Dickovick, Chair vital role in the life of the Cuba Section and The meeting was called to order and a her leadership will be missed! The results of The Decentralization and Sub-national quorum was established with the presence of the 2010 elections are: Jorge Mario Sánchez Governance Section meeting in Toronto 23 members of the Section. The co-chairs (Co-chair/in Cuba); Sheryl Lutjens (Co- counted 11 participants, representing the informed the membership that as of 9/15/10 chair/outside of Cuba); Carlos Alzugaray approximately 75 members in the Section as the Section had 97 members. The Section Treto (Executive Committee/in Cuba); Iraida of October 2010. The meeting centered on awarded two travel grants of $350 each to López (Executive Committee/outside of discussion of recent activities, new initiatives participate in the Toronto meeting, to Bertha Cuba); and Douglas Friedman (Treasurer). for the Section, and the election of new García-Gallegos from Ecuador and Ciro The continuing members of the Section officers. Alegría from Peru. Selection was made by Executive are Miren Uriarte (Executive the executive council after the co-chairs Committee/outside of Cuba) and Mayra Activities over the past year included the consulted regarding Section members who Espina (Executive Committee/in Cuba). organization of two panels for LASA2010. had applied but had not received LASA The panels reflected Section members’ travel funding. The Section did not award research on sub-national politics and the best paper prize from the Rio Congress Culture, Power and Politics (CPP) governance, decentralization policy, and because of insufficient submissions. Efforts Sylvia Escarcega, Chair consequences of these for social policy. The will be made to encourage greater first panel held was on Sub–national participation in this competition from The Section Business Meeting took place on Governance and featured Jacqueline participants at the Toronto meeting. Saturday October 9, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. with Behrend, Julian Durazo-Herrmann, Imke the presence of three members. Attendees Harbers, Al Montero, and Sandi Chapman Bertha García-Gallegos (Pontificia talked about the need to encourage member Osterkatz, with Kent Eaton serving as Universidad Católica del Ecuador) and participation, how to better use LASA’s discussant. The second panel focused on Orlando J. Pérez (Central Michigan resources, and the convenience of having Social Policy in Sub–national Perspective. University) were reelected as co-chairs to LASA host the Section website. Members Panelists were: Tulia Falleti, Laura Flamand, serve until the San Francisco meeting. The also discussed CPP’s sponsored sessions Veronica Herrera, and Maria Teresa Miceli executive council was selected as follows: which were well attended and successful as Kerbauy, with Nancy Thede serving as David Pion-Berlin (University of California/ well as the implications of having an annual discussant. The Section will be offering a Riverside) and Maria Celina D’Araujo LASA Congress hosted in Canada, the paper prize for a top paper presented at (PUC-Rio) will continue to serve until the United States, Spain, or Latin America. LASA2010, to be announced prior to the San Francisco meeting; Deborah Norden
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(Whittier College) and José Manuel Ugarte track chairs for the upcoming meeting. Ecuadorian Studies (Universidad de Buenos Aires) were elected Fortunately, one of the track chairs for the Carmen Martínez Novo, Chair for a three-year term. The Section thanked San Francisco meeting also is a member of Kristina Mani and Hector Saint Pierre for the Section, which hopefully will facilitate As of September 15, 2010, the Ecuadorian their service on the executive council for the dialogue and cooperation. Studies Section had 107 members, a few past three years. more than the previous term. In 2010 the Section sponsored two invited panels at the The co-chairs reported that the Section Economics and Politics Toronto Meeting, one on “Race, Gender, and sponsored two well–attended workshops at Diego Sánchez and Andrew Schrank, Sexuality,” organized by Manuela Picq and the Toronto meeting: Nuevos y recurrentes Co-Chairs the other on “Neoliberalism, Post- interrogantes en las relaciones civil-militares: neoliberalism, and Social Movements,” defensa y seguridad en América Latina I; Economics and Politics is dedicated to the organized by Carmen Martínez. and Nuevos y recurrentes interrogantes en promotion of policy-relevant dialogue as Distinguished scholars in Ecuadorian studies las relaciones civil-militares: defensa y well as pure scholarship at the intersection participated in each of the panels, both of seguridad en América Latina II. Participants of economics and politics. The Section which were well attended. The Section also and the Section co-chairs will seek to therefore organized two roundtables for the organized the Business Meeting with continue and enhance the dialogue initiated 2010 LASA Congress. The first roundtable approximately 20 people present, and a at the conference by pursuing suitable focused on “policy space” in Latin American reception. Ecuadorian Studies gave a travel publications from the presentations. in the wake of the global crisis. Panelists grant to Alejandra Zambrano, a graduate with experience in government and student in literature at the University of Discussion ensued about ways of academia discussed the prospects for Texas, Austin. The travel grant was communicating more effectively among heterodox policies in areas like trade and advertised to the Ecuadorian Studies and members and attracting additional members. capital flows in the years to come. The general LASA list. The directory chose It was agreed that the Section would second roundtable addressed the question of among participant student proposals. Marc participate in the LASA–sponsored webpage institutional analysis in Latin American Becker updated the Section website for for Sections. The co-chairs will report to the politics. Panelists discussed the another year. Section plans for the next term members as the process for selecting the contributions and limitations of a number of are: 1) to have a Section–sponsored webpage template proceeds. It was agreed different approaches to institutional analysis conference in Quito, Ecuador in June 2011; that the Section would continue to seek and entertained an array of questions and 2) to sponsor a prize for the best monograph engagement with organizations such as comments from a crowded and vibrant on Ecuadorian Studies. Rudi Colloredo of RESDAL (Red de Seguridad y Defensa de audience. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill America Latina), as well as the RC24, Armed will write a proposal for the prize; and 3) to Forces & Society, of IPSA. Members were The Section Business Meeting was attended have two sponsored panels for the next encouraged to participate in the RC24– by seven members. Members discussed the LASA Congress, with tentative topics of sponsored conference in Ankara, Turkey, Section’s history and goals; the year’s “Cultural Expressions of the Bicentenary” June 17-19, 2011. activities and achievements; the possible uses and “Ecuadorian Literature.” Other of Section resources; and Section proposals will be accepted. The Section Discussion ensued about the relation governance. Mahrukh Doctor (University of decided to continue with the same directory between the Section and the thematic tracks Hull) was nominated to serve as Section for one more year with the addition of for the LASA Congress Some members chair for the coming year; Diego Sánchez Alejandra Zambrano (University of Texas/ expressed consternation at the limitation of (Oxford) agreed to serve as secretary- Austin) as a liaison with graduate students. panels available to the Section. It was treasurer; and Paul Haslam (University of The directory is as follows: Chair, Carmen agreed that the Section will continue efforts Ottawa), Andrew Schrank University of Martínez (FLACSO-Ecuador); Vice-Chair, to increase membership so as to increase the New Mexico), and Ken Shadlen (London Manuela Picq (Amherst College); and number of panels it may sponsor. School of Economics and Political Science) Secretary/ Treasurer, Julianne Hazelwood Nevertheless members recognized the agreed to serve on the advisory council. (National University of Ireland, Galway). increased number of panels in areas of Officers were later approved by the Section The vocals are: John Walker (St. Charles interest to the Section members that resulted membership via email. Community College); Victor Breton from the change of title for the “Defense, (University of Lleida, Spain); Ketty Wong Violence and (In) security” track. The (University of Kansas); amd Alejandra addition of “defense” enabled the track to Zambrano. accept more panels related directly to the research focus of Section members. It was agreed that the co-chairs, as well as individual members, will pursue greater cooperation between the Section and the
36 Educación y Políticas Educativas en Environment Business Meeting. The second item América Latina Sherrie Baver and Kate McCaffrey, Co-chairs included a brief report on membership, an approximate financial balance and lastly, Danilo R. Streck, Martha E. Nepomneschi At the Environment Section Business the next ERIP election. and Elias Garcia Rosas, Co-chairs Meeting there was a lengthy discussion among about fifteen attendees. The According to the Sections manual “… The Section Meeting at the LASA Congress Co-Chairs Sherrie Baver (CUNY) and Kate Sections with over 100 members must have took place as scheduled and was attended by McCaffrey (Montclair State) reported that a quorum consisting of 10 percent of their 41 members. Presently, the Section counts a as of the last tally before the Congress, the paid membership.” This lack of quorum led total of 101 members. The Section presented Section had 121 members. Second, the members to postpone the internal election two sessions at the Congress in Toronto, Section Travel Grant awardees were until November. This electoral process will which reflected some of the basic interests of recognized—Erin Finzer (University of include the election of the Chair, the the participants at LASA: “Educación y crisis Arkansas) and Christine Beitl (University of Secretary/Treasurer and three Council en América Latina en el contexto del Georgia). members. It was also suggested to consider bicentenario: Matriz histórica y política” the election of a Co-chair to maintain and “La formación docente en la crisis This year, the Section sponsored one panel continuity and to establish a gender balance, financiera latinoamericana: realidad y and one workshop. The panel was on but the decision was postponed due to the perspectivas.” The planning for the new “Environmental Democracy” and the logistical difficulties in the procedures. term includes a greater integration of its workshop was titled “Emerging Research members through cooperation in research Issues in Latin American Environmentalism.” The third item included a discussion on the projects and participation in specific This was the second Congress in which we importance of the Second ERIP Conference. activities developed by institutions in the used this topic in a workshop format, and One of the issues discussed was the site of regions. There will also be an incentive for we agreed to try it again. Unlike the the next Conference. In the previous report the development of comparative studies. standard panel approach, the workshop it was stated “The current proposal is for the The website, in preparation by the LASA allows several more scholars to present their next ERIP Conference to be held at the office, is considered to be an indispensable work, to present it in an abbreviated form, California State University, Northridge, in instrument for communication among and to receive significant feedback from the 2011.” However, in the Business Meeting members and other researchers on education workshop members as well as the audience. there was a suggestion to accept other in Latin America. For the next Congress, the proposals including one from the UCSD, the Section sessions will emphasize the issues of A proposal that came out of the meeting was place where the first Conference was held. integration and social inclusion, as well as to set up the Environment Section’s own Other important elements to be included in the role of some personalities and authors networking site to support interactive the proposals are funding, institutional important in the Independence movement discussions with members, if this feature was support and possible dates. and in the promotion of public education in not already on the website being created by Latin America, such as Simón Rodríguez, LASA for each Section. Finally, the Co- Domingo Faustino Sarmiento and José chairs decided to step down after serving for Europe-Latin America (ELAS) Martí. two terms and were replaced by Jennifer Miriam Gomes Saraiva, Secretary-Treasurer, Horan (UNC-Wilmington) and Gregory and Carlos Quenan, Chair The Section elected the following officers: Cushman (University of Kansas). Section Chair, Danilo Streck (UNISINOS/ The ELAS successfully participated in the Brazil); Co-chair, Martha E. Nepomneschi Toronto Congress with two panels: “Latin (UBA/Argentina); and Council members Ethnicity, Race and Indigenous Peoples American and European Experiences with María Ester Mancebo (Universidad de la Douglas Carranza Mena, Chair Populism;” and “Learning from Latin República/Uruguay), Mark Abendroth America.” The discussion brought forth new (SUNY Empire State College/US), Felipe de The Ethnicity, Race and Indigenous Peoples ideas about the two subjects. Many people Jesús Pérez Cruz (Universidad de la Habana/ (ERIP) Section held its Business Meeting on attended the first session; the room was full Cuba) and Pat Somers (University of Texas Friday, October 8, 2010. Fourteen members and some people sat on the floor. For the at Austin). attended the meeting along with Section second one, the audience was smaller. The Chair Douglas Carranza Mena, and Council Section also sponsored two other panels in Member Richard Stalhler-Sholk. At the time the International Relations Track: of the meeting, Section membership stood at “Theoretical Implications of the New 284 members, entitling the Section to four Regional, Interregional and Extra-Regional LASA sessions. Relations of Latin America;” and “Spain- Latin America Relations: Challenges and The Agenda included an Introduction that Opportunities while Commemorating the welcomed the members present at the Bicentennials.”
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The two Section grantees, Susanne Gratius diálogo internacional sobre el estado del cine of Helen to the field of Gender and Feminist and Carlos de la Torre, received their grants con propuestas de beca (LASA/Mellon), Studies. The homage was followed by a without any problem and contributed to the presentaciones (Marcela Parada sobre Chile) brief presentation of the Section Members’ discussion in the panel with new reflections. y sesiones (Emperatriz Arreaza Camero book entitled “Women’s Activism in Latin sobre Cine Latino en la diáspora). Lauro America and the Caribbean: Engendering There were just 16 members present at the Zavala (México, SEPANCINE) difundió su Social Justice, Democratizing Citizenship,” Business Meeting, due to the departure of publicación y Andrea Molfetta (ASAECA, coordinated by Elizabeth Maier and several members prior to the meeting. The Argentina) organizó un dossier (Imagofagia). Nathalie Lebon, an important collection of activities and expenses of the Section from articles of many of the Section Members June 2009 were presented. The only expense Para explorar áreas innovadoras Dorian de including Helen Safa. of this period was the two travel grants (a Lugo y Aída Pagán distribuyeron una tradition of the Section). No dissertation bibliografía sobre “Intermediality and Sara Poggio announced and presented first prize was awarded for 2009-2010. The Cinema”. place for the Elsa Chaney Award, awarded number of Section members increased a little to “The Role of Women in the Tupamaros during the period (to 92 members in Se acordó cambiar los términos de los and the Greater Uruguayan Left,” by author September 2010). Several members have co-directores, para proveer continuidad, de Lindsey Churchill, Ph.D., Mount Holyoke submitted proposals to establish links modo que uno permanezca y el otro sea College who was present to receive the prize between the ELAS and other networks vocal. Realizadas las elecciones los nuevos ($700). Both the second place and the working on international relations and integrantes del comité son Dorian Lugo- honorable mention were declared ‘deserted’ regional integration (like the Institut des Bertrán (Universidad de Puerto Rico) y as those remaining submissions didn’t have Amériques in France, European Union Beatriz Urraca (Widener University), the requirements nor the quality expected. It Studies Association and World International Co-chairs; Isabel Arredondo (SUNY was decided that the Section will include Studies Committee). Some news about the Plattsburgh), Javier Campo (Doctorando en Ph.D. candidates (ABD) for the next procedure and organizational responsibility la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, FCS- convocatoria. The Elsa Chaney Award for proposing a panel (as a chair) were Universidad de Buenos Aires y becario del started in 1998 thanks to an UNIFEM grant mentioned. Several topics were suggested Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones brought by Sarah Poggio who has been during the meeting, notably the relevance of Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) sede, coordinating these efforts throughout the the summit between the EU and Latin Instituto de Investigaciones Gino Germani years. America and comparing migration policies (FCS-UBA), Eduardo Ledesma (doctorando, in both regions. Harvard) y Cynthia Tompkins (Arizona Elections were conducted and the newly State University), Council Members. elected officers of the Section are: Co-chairs Section members showed preference for two Millie Thayer (University of Massachusetts) co-chairs (one in the EU and the other in Para las mesas de la Sección se decidió and Montserrat Sagot (Universidad de Costa Latin America). Elected as co-chairs were promover talleres y refrendar los temas. Los Rica); Secretary-Treasurer, Elizabeth Jay Carlos Quenan (University de la Sorbonne elegidos son: Talleres: Industry and History Friedman (University of San Francisco); and Nouvelle) and Miriam Gomes Saraiva in Latin American Cinema y Intermediality Advisory Board Members María Amelia (Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro). and Latin American Cinema. Panel: Viteri (FLACSO-Ecuador), Christina Ewig The elected members of the Executive National Identities and Migrant (University of Wisconsin), Sara Poggio Committee include Bert Hoffmann (GIGA Subjectivities in Latin American Cinema. (University of Maryland/Baltimore County), German Institute of Global and Area Elizabeth Maier (El Colegio de la Frontera Studies, Hamburg); Anna Ayuso (Cidob, Norte), Graciela Monteagudo (University of Barcelona); Sebastián Santander (Université Gender and Feminist Studies Massachusetts/Amherst) and Constanza de Liege, Liege); and Erica Simone A. María Amelia Viteri and Clara Araujo, Tabush (University of London) with Web Resende (Universidade Federal Rural do Rio Co-chairs Manager Gabriela Torres (Wheaton de Janeiro). College). On October 8, 2010, Gender and Feminist Studies held its Business Meeting. Section María Amelia Viteri reminded the audience Film Studies Co-chair María Amelia Viteri presided, with that the Section had four sponsored sessions Dorian Lugo-Bertrán and Cynthia some 50 of the 285 dues-paying members of that looked at gender, democracy, inequality Tompkins, Co-chairs the Section in attendance. in Latin America. Two of these panels looked at feminists and Sandinistas in En la reunión celebrada el sábado 9 de The Business Meeting started with an Nicaragua from a historical perspective. Octubre de 2010, con la asistencia de 15 homage to Helen Safa. For this event the miembros, se leyó el balance de la gestión: Section invited Carmen Diana Deere, Edna María Amelia Viteri then summarized the Pese a la crisis la Sección aumentó un 40 por Acosta Belén, and Alice Colón as speakers Section activities of the previous 18 months ciento a 156 miembros. Se profundizó el who celebrated the important contributions emphasizing the organization of the
38 Pre-Conference, the first time in which the format of the Pre-Conference (looking at the Future of Hispanola.” Among the Section joined efforts with the Sexualities 2014) and the possible joining of forces with speakers participating are Robert Fatton Studies Section to work in an the Latino Studies Section since many areas (University of Virginia), Alex Dupuy interdisciplinary way inviting academics and and interests overlap. (Wesleyan University), Karen Richman activists working in these fields to discuss (University of Notre Dame), Bob Maguire issues that affect women and LGBT (Trinity College, Washington, DC), Elizabeth communities in Latin America and the Haiti/Dominican Republic Zeahmeister (Vanderbilt University), Latino/a population in the United States and Henry (Chip) Carey, Chair Gregory Love (University of Mississippi), Canada. Among the most important ‘lessons Leara D. Rhodes (University of Georgia learned’ discussed by many members was The Haiti/Dominican Republic Section has School of Journalism), Leslie Desmangles the difficulty of attending the Pre-Conference new leadership. Emelio Betances and Chip (Trinity College, Hartford), Patrick Sylvain as it was scheduled two days before LASA Carey, who have served as Section (Brown University) “Haiti’s Structural started. María Amelia highlighted how the coordinators, happily handed over the Vulnerability and the Junction of Pre-Conference’s organizers equally leadership to April Mayes of Pomona Ineptitude,” Joanna Mendelson Forman weighted gender issues and sexualities issues. College and Kiran Jayaram of Columbia (Center for Strategic and International Members that attended the Pre-Conference University. They will continue the tradition Studies), Kiran Jayaram (Columbia as well as those that didn’t agreed on the of leadership with expertise in each country, University), Kathleen Felix (Fonkoze, Haiti), need to have a discussion/debate space that the Dominican Republic and Haiti Guyma Noel (Georgia State), Barbara Lynch was left pending from the Pre-Conference. respectively, while staying committed to the (Georgia Institute of Technology) discussant, Together with the Sexualities Section, the goal of the merger of the two Sections eight Cornelia Butler Flora (Iowa State Section will have a continuation phase at the years ago, designed to foster scholarly University), April Mays (Pomona College), LASA Congress in San Francisco that will exchange and cooperation. Ryan Carlin (Georgia State), Chip Carey take the form of a half-day workshop, as (Georgia State), Tess Kulstead (University of proposed by Elizabeth Friedman. In this The Section qualified for a panel at the Florida), Matthew Kaye (University of sense, newly-elected co-chair Millie Thayer Toronto Congress, which produced Florida), and Ira Lowenthal, anthropologist. spoke about the importance of side interesting papers and discussion on streaming feminism: how feminism intersects “Perennial Challenges of Democracy and with other fields such as sexualities, race and Development in Haiti and the Dominican Health, Science, and Society ethnicity. Generally speaking, it was agreed Republic.” The papers presented were: “Boca Adam Warren and Mariola Espinosa, that the Pre-Conference was a big success del chivo: Demonic Animals and the Poetics Co-chairs and that working in an interdisciplinary way of Deforestation in the Haitian-Dominican provides excellent possibilities to continue Borderlands,” Robin Lauren H. Derby At the 2010 Congress in Toronto Health, much-needed debates in the areas of Gender, (University of California/Los Angeles); Science, and Society held two Section Feminism and Sexualities Studies. “Circumventing the Barriers to sessions: “Between Foreign Approaches and Democratization: Civil Society and Reforms Domestic Priorities: The Forging of Sara Poggio and María Amelia Viteri invited in the Dominican Republic,” Christopher International Health in Twentieth-Century all members working on issues around Mitchell (New York University); “The Latin America,” and “Construyendo immigration to, and from, Latin America, to Return on NGO Development: Haiti and the Solidaridad a Través de las Fronteras: join their group. Following the meeting a Dominican Republic Compared,” Henry Creando una Comunidad sobre Salud y reception was held, where members and (Chip) F. Carey (Georgia State University); Sociedad entre América Latina y los Estados their guests socialized and enjoyed drinks “Third Space: Gender and Women’s Rights Unidos.” and hors d’oeuvres in the Struggle for Democracy in the Dominican Republic,” April J. Mayes The Section also co-sponsored a one-day Some of the pending issues to be discussed/ (Pomona College); and Jonathan Hartlyn workshop at the University of Toronto, “The decided by the new board are the following: (University of North Carolina.) et al., “Civil History of Science and Medicine in Cold the use of funds to finance the pending book Society Attitudes in Haiti and the Dominican War Latin America.” This event brought publication of the seven articles that won the Republic.” The discussant was Emelio Rafael together experts from Latin America, Elsa Chaney Award during the past two Betances Medina (Gettysburg College). Canada, and the United States and was years; the use of Facebook and Twitter in made possible through collaboration with order to further spread the word about the The Section will be announcing various two co-sponsors at the University of Section and forthcoming activities such as plans for scholarly cooperation. The first Toronto: the Institute for the History and the Pre-Conference; possibly a new election initiative will be a conference at Georgia Philosophy of Science and Technology and format (in particular an electronic format); State University on 2 February 2011 entitled the Latin American Studies Program. Many the selection of a new board prior to the “Haiti after the Apocalypse: International, current Section members attended. The next Business Meeting at San Francisco; and including Dominican Responses to the Section owes a special thank you to Raúl the continuation of the interdisciplinary Earthquake and the Cholera Epidemic and Necochea, Anne-Emanuelle Birn, and
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Nikolai Krementsov for their hard work in workshop on the theory and methodology of (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque), organizing the event. Anne-Emanuelle and Historia Reciente and Memory studies. and Cecilia Senén González, CONICET, Nikolai also kindly held a party for Health, Other proposals adopted at the Business University of Buenos Aires, UNLAM. Science, and Society members at their home Meeting were to create an interactive Maggie Gray serves as the Secretary/ during the LASA Congress. website with the help of LASA and to Treasurer. organize a competition for best book Health, Science, and Society held its Business published in the field, which would alternate The Toronto meeting offered an opportunity Meeting on October 8, 2010 with 21 people with the best master’s thesis competition. to brainstorm about panels for the next present. The Section elected Alexandra There was also support for improving ties Congress and much of the discussion was Puerto (Occidental College) and Mariola with European scholars and institutions, and focused on the increasing casualization of Espinosa (Yale University) to serve as sponsoring sub-regional workshops between work and the deepening economic crisis. co-chairs, and Pablo Gómez (Texas Christian LASA Congresses. Members also agreed at the meeting to once University) to serve as secretary/treasurer. again offer an award for the best published Tânia Salgado Pimenta (Fundação Oswaldo Lastly, the Section elected new officers at paper in labor studies. Cruz) and Rebecca Hester (University of Toronto; the choices were confirmed by Texas Medical Branch) were elected to the email consultation with Section members Finally, members are sad to report that board, where they join continuing board who were unable to come to LASA-Toronto. long-time member of the LASA Labor members Marcos Cueto (Instituto de The officers of the Section for 2010-12 are: Section, Hank Frundt, died on September Estudios Peruanos) and Nielan Barnes Claudio Barrientos (Universidad Diego 16th. He was the author of books on (CSU—Long Beach). Portales, Chile) and Peter Winn (Tufts worker rights in Latin America, including University, USA), Co-chairs; Hillary Hiner Refreshing Pauses: Coca-Cola and Human (Universidad Diego Portales, Chile/USA), Rights in Guatemala, and Fair Bananas: Historia Reciente y Memoria Secretary; and Pablo Yankelevich (Instituto Farmers, Workers and Consumers Strive to Peter Winn, Chair Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Change an Industry (2009). He will be México), Vania Markarian (Universidad de sorely missed and fondly remembered. Historia Reciente y Memoria/Recent History la República, Uruguay), Denise Rollemberg & Memory Studies is a new Section, so most (Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brasil), energy was directed to establishing and and Florencia Levín (Universidad Nacional Latina/o Studies (LSS) consolidating the Section, including de General Sarmiento, Argentina), Council Katynka Z. Martínez and Nancy R. Mirabal, stabilizing its membership, creating its Members. Co-chairs, and Carlos Alamo, Secretary internal governance and establishing a means of communication among its The Latina/o Studies Section of LASA members. However, the Section did begin to Labor Studies sponsored three panels at the 2010 Toronto address the ambitious agenda suggested at Kirsten Sehnbruch, Chair, and Maggie Gray, Congress, and presented the following the first Business Meeting at LASA-Rio in Secretary/Treasurer awards. The Best Book Award was 2009. The major new initiative was to presented to Arlene Dávila for Latino Spin organize a competition for best Master’s The Labor Studies Section offered a diverse ($500). Honorable Mentions went to Lionel Thesis, a priority of the Section’s many Latin selection of papers and panels at the 2010 Cantú for The Sexuality of Migration American members, with the goal of Congress including excellent panels on labor (Edited by Nancy A. Naples and Salvador encouraging young Latin American scholars markets, gender, youth, precarity, corporate Vidal-Ortiz); Laura Loma for Translating just entering this emerging field. The social responsibility, and the financial crisis, Empire; and Deborah Paredez for Selenidad. response demonstrated that the Section had among others, including country-specific The Best Article Award was presented to Pat made the right choice: 25 MA theses were panels. The Section is grateful for the rich Rubio-Goldsmith et al. for “Ethno-Racial submitted and juries were chosen for the work of its members. Profiling and State Violence in a Southwest phased evaluation process, completed in Barrio” ($400). The Best Dissertation 2010. In addition, the Section organized a Kristen Sehnbruch just completed her term Award went to Rebecca Hester for panel for LASA-Toronto on “Recent History as Chair and the Section is pleased to “Embodied Politics: Health Promotion in and Memory in Latin America: Between the announce that Fernando Groisman was Indigenous Mexican Migrant Communities National and the Regional Gaze,” which was recently elected the new Chair. Fernando is in California” ($300). well attended and provoked a lively and a researcher at the Consejo Nacional de insightful discussion. Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de The Book Award Committee was comprised Argentina (CONICET) and a Professor at la of Sergio de la Mora (UC Davis) Chair, with Some of the issues in that discussion were Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA). In Ruth Behar (University of Michigan), present as well at the Business Meeting of addition, Section council members are Mark Alejandro Madrid (University of Illinois at the Section at LASA-Toronto, including the Anner (Penn State), Carolina Bank-Muñoz Chicago), and Lisa Sánchez González suggestion that the Section sponsor a (Brooklyn College), Andrew Shrank (University of Connecticut). The Best Article
40 Award Committee consisted of Ana Patricia y sociedad en Concepción (1820-1875), a social sciences. At its Business Meeting in Rodríguez (University of Maryland) Chair, book by Mauricio Rojas. Sanford and Toronto, the Section approved the creation with Maribel Álvarez (University Arizona), Walsh-Haney presented their project in of two new prizes: a best dissertation award Cynthia Duarte (University of Notre Dame), Toronto. Rojas presented various parts of to be given to a Section member and a travel and Tania Triana (University of Oregon). his book at previous LASA Conferences. award for graduate students who are Section The members of the Dissertation Award The Section sent out several calls for members and Mexican citizens based in Committee were Dolores Inés Casillas (UC nominations for the Maggi Popkin Award, Mexico to help them travel to the next Santa Barbara) Chair, with Karina Céspedes each of which included the criteria by which Congress. A listserv for the Mexico Section (Colorado State University) and Omar the selection committee would judge was established through Whitman College. Valerio-Jiménez (University of Iowa). submissions. The criteria are that the paper Currently the list is managed by the 1) be written by a current Section member; Secretary/Treasurer of the Section. The Approximately 25 people attended the LSS 2) be presented at LASA, and 3) reflect listserv is open to current members only and Business Meeting. The discussion at the scholarly excellence and a commitment to is for Section business, announcements of meeting included the importance of bringing the values Maggi Popkin exemplified, conferences, publications, fellowships, or back the LSS Public Intellectual Award as broadly understood. Popkin was a tireless other issues pertinent to the Section. well as concerns regarding LASA’s policy of scholar and activist who dedicated her life to requiring LSS–sponsored panelists to be promoting human rights in Latin America. The Section Essay and Book Awards winners LASA members. This requirement could Kif Augustine-Adams and Mark Ungar, who were: Humanities (essay): Ignacio Sánchez have a negative impact on prospective in the past served together as co-chairs for Pardo (Department of Romance Languages participants, including artists, students, and the Section, acted as the selection committee. and Literature, Washington University in St. scholars not familiar with the organization. Louis), “Claiming Liberalism: Enrique Themes and topics for the next LASA The Section sponsored two panels in Krauze, Vuelta, Letras Libres and the Congress LSS Section panels include how to Toronto and identified one person on each Reconfigurations of the Mexican Intellectual make the website/listserv more effective and of the panels to receive a travel grant. On Class,” Mexican Studies / Estudios how to expand LSS membership. the “Disciplining Migrants through Law” Mexicanos (Winter 2010). The Committee panel, the individual who was to receive the was co-chaired by Cynthia Steele (University The new Section Co-Chairs were introduced. travel grant ultimately did not attend the of Washington, Seattle) and Nohemy They are Gabriela Núñez (University of Toronto conference. On the panel Solórzano Thomson (Whitman College). Louisville) and Michael Innis-Jiménez “Construyendo hegemonías y artículando The Humanities (book) Award went to (University of Alabama). Katie Dingeman is resistencia: sociedad y políticas de desarrollo Ignacio Sánchez Pardo for Naciones the graduate student representative. estatales en América Latina,” Mauricio intelectuales: las fundaciones de la Rojas received a travel grant of $500. As a modernidad literaria mexicana, 1917-1959 The Section reception was a joint reception co-chair of the Section, Rojas recused (Purdue University Press, 2009). The with nine other LASA Sections and also himself from decisions regarding travel Committee was chaired by Gladys Ilarregui co-sponsored with Palgrave, the publisher of grants. (University of Delaware). The Social Latino Studies, edited by Suzanne Oboler. Sciences (essay) Award was presented to Four awardees were present at the reception. Paul Gillingham (University of North Mexico Carolina-Wilmington) for “Maximino’s Nohemy Solórzano-Thompson, Secretary/ Bulls: Popular Protest after the Mexican Law and Society in Latin America Treasurer Revolution, 1940-1952,” Past and Present Kif Augustine Adams (Fall 2009). The Committee was chaired by The Mexico Section was officially Sallie Hughes (University of Miami). And At its Business Meeting in Toronto, the Law established in 2010 and has 448 members, lastly, the Social Sciences (book) Award went and Society in Latin America Section elected making it the largest within the organization. to Edward Wright-Rios (Vanderbilt Cath Collins (Universidad Diego Portales) to In its first year of activity, the Section University) for Revolutions in Mexican serve as a new Co-chair. Collins will work sponsored three panels for the Toronto Catholicism: Reform and Revelation in with Mauricio Rojas, whose term as Co-chair Congress; these were on Chiapas, the Oaxaca, 1887-1934 (Duke University Press, continues to the San Francisco Congress. Iniciativa Mérida, and contemporary 2009). The Committee was chaired by Nora Mexican politics. The Section also co- Hamilton (University of Southern The Section awarded its Maggi Popkin sponsored the Presidential Session on the California). Award to two projects: 1st place ($400), Mexican Revolution. “Human Rights Abuses in Guatemala: How Since no candidates were put forward for Cultural and Forensic Anthropologists Work For 2010, the Section established four prizes Section co-chairs, Kevin Middlebrook and Together to Document Crimes,” by Victoria to recognize the best scholarship on Mexico Sandra Kuntz Ficker will continue in those Sanford and Heather Walsh-Haney; and 2nd by its members, awarding prizes for the best roles for another term. The new members of place ($300), Las voces de la justicia: Delito essays and books in the humanities and the Mexico Section Council include Nora
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Hamilton (University of Southern Also discussed were changes to the criteria grant to cover travel and other expenses. California), Wil G. Pansters (University of for travel grants. Support for young Grantees included Dr. Sergio Recuenco Groningen and Utrecht University, The professionals was continued. (Peruvian citizen MD, MPH Ph.D. in Public Netherlands), and Guadalupe Rodríguez Health—Centers for Disease Control and Gómez (Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios The Peru Section organized three panels for Prevention); Jacqueline Fowks (Peruvian Superiores en Antropología Social, LASA2010: “Peru in Comparative citizen; Catholic University of Peru); and Guadalajara). Perspective: New Directions in Political Carlos Gálvez (Peruvian citizen; Ph.D. Science in Peru,” organized by Alberto Candidate in Latin American and Early Vergara Paniagua (University of Montreal); Modern European History, Columbia Peru “El Qosco: On Becoming Cosmopolitan,” University). Elena Álvarez, Chair organized by Aviva Sinervo (Ph.D. candidate); and “Environmental and Public Twenty-nine members of the Section were in Health Issues in Peru,” organized by Elena Political Institutions (LAPIS) attendance as the meeting was called to Álvarez (Empire State College-SUNY). Todd Eisenstadt, Chair order. Those present discussed the report sent to the membership on activities from Elena Álvarez will continue as Co-chair for The Latin American Political Institutions June 2009 to October 2010. The main an additional term. Iliana M. Carrasco- Section in 2010 inaugurated a book award activities had been selecting panels for the Díaz (CIES, Consorcio de Investigación named after deceased LAPIS colleague LASA Toronto Congress, managing the Book Económica y Social) was elected Co-chair. Donna Lee Van Cott, and awarded two and Article Awards, developing a quarterly Angelina Cotler (University of Illinois) was works that high honor. We also elected new bulletin, and providing travel grants to three elected Secretary and Enrique Mayer (Yale Section leadership at the October 8, 2010 professionals. University), Treasurer. Council Directors meeting in Toronto (attended by some three include Laura Balbuena González (Institute dozen people), announced the Section paper The Book and Article awards were for Study Abroad, Butler University), award, as well as several travel awards, and presented. The Flora Tristan Book Award continuing; Elena Sabogal (William Paterson established a couple of policy positions for was granted to Lucy Conger, Patricia Inga, University); Diana Avila Paulette deliberation over the course of this year. and Richard Webb for El Árbol de la (Consultant, Human Rights, Lima, Peru), Mostaza. Dr. Richard Webb (Director, continuing; and Rocío Quispe-Agnoli On September 15, 2010 the Section had 145 Instituto del Perú--Universidad San Martín (Michigan State University), continuing. members, which was a slight increase over de Porres) attended the Toronto Congress to one year ago, when the membership was receive the certificate. He became a LASA Continuing Ex Oficio Members/ Miembros 131. and Peru Section member. Dr. Webb is a Ex Oficio include Mark Cox (Presbyterian well-known Peruvian economist who has College) and Óscar Espinosa (Universidad The 2010 Van Cott Award Winners were been the Chair of the Board of Governors of Católica del Perú). Enrique Mayer will chair Tulia Falleti (University of Pennsylvania) for Peru’s Central Reserve Bank for at least two the Book and Article Awards Committee and Decentralization and Subnational Politics in different Peruvian governments. The José will revise the current guidelines. Latin America (Cambridge University Press, María Arguedas Article Award was 2010) and Gisela Zaremberg (FLACSO presented at the Business Meeting to Tracy In regard to the Peru newsletter, it was (Facultad Latinoamericano de Ciencias Devine Guzmán (University of Miami) for discussed that CIES (Consorcio de Sociales/Mexico) for Mujeres, Votos, y her article “Rimanakuy’ 86 and Other Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales) Asistencia Social en el México PRIísta y la Fictions of Dialogue in Peru.” would be a great resource to put together Argentina Peronista (FLACSO-Mexico, the future bulletins. 2009). The award committee, consisting of A Lifetime Achievement Award was Todd Eisenstadt (American University), presented to Dr. Carlos Ivan Degregori, a Following the meeting many members Agustina Giraudy (Facultad distinguished Peruvian anthropologist who, attended the common reception. Latinoamericano de Ciencias Sociales/ among other issues, has studied the Shining Buenos Aires), and Aníbal Pérez-Liñán Path movement in Peru and was a The Section was able to collect $1180 from (University of Pittsburgh) thought very Committee member of the Truth and member donations to the Peru Travel Fund. highly of both books. Reconciliation Commission in Peru that was The Section received five applications for established by Interim President Valentín travel grants and the selection committee Other Awards included the LAPIS Best Paper Paniagua. Professor Cynthia McClintock made up of Elena Álvarez, Angelina Cotler Award for a paper presented at the 2009 read a letter sent from Dr. Degregori and JoAnn Burt selected three grantees LASA Congress. This was presented to Tulia thanking the Section for the award. He was based on merit and the criteria agreed upon Falleti, for “Infiltrating the State: The unable to attend the Congress this year. during the Peru Section Business Meeting at Evolution of Health Care Reforms in Brazil, LASA2010. Each candidate was required to 1964–1988.” The committee was chaired by present a budget and each received a partial Bruce Wilson (University of Central Florida,
42 last year’s winner), and also included Flavia Rural Studies The Section has now established a Congress- Freidenberg (University of Salamanca) and Kirsten Albrechtsen de Appendini, Chair related tradition of undertaking a fieldtrip to Charles Kenney (University of Oklahoma). a rural region to visit local agricultural The Rural Studies Section’s activities have activities with the opportunity of looking Travel grants were judged by a committee focused mainly on the events around the first hand at issues of interest. On October consisting of Felipe Botero (Universidad de LASA2010 Congress. Throughout the year 6th the trip was to the Niagara region to los Andes and last year’s winner), Committee the Section members have continuous visit two Greenhouses that employ migrant Chair; Miguel Centellas (University of contact through the Section email list, workers, as well as to stop at the regional Mississippi); and Joy Langston (CIDE sharing information and news. office for the Agriculture Workers Alliance. Mexico City). Recipients of the 2010 LASA Thirty-two people participated. travel grants were Santiago Basabe Serrano The Rural Section Business Meeting was (FLACSO/Ecuador), Víctor Leonel Juan held Friday October 8th, with a quorum of Martínez (Universidad Autónoma Benito 19 members. Elections of the new council Scholarly Research and Juárez de Oaxaca), Tânia Pinc (University of for the 2010-2012 period were held with the Resources (SSRR) São Paulo), and Julieta Suárez-Cao following results: Steve Zahniser (USDA Holly Ackerman, Interim Chair (Northwestern University). Economic Research Service), Chair; Kerry Preibisch (University of Guelph), Chair- The Section examines issues that enable Two measures were approved by the Section Elect; Clifford Welch (Universidade Federal scholarship. Membership is drawn from members in attendance at the Business de São Paulo), Secretary; and Yolanda faculty members, publishers, independent Meeting: 1) LAPIS should solidify a Massieu (Universidad Autónoma researchers, archivists and librarians. relationship with the Journal of Politics in Metropolitana/Xochimilco), Eduardo Section activities allow LASA to keep Latin America (JPLA), although the exact Baumeister (Instituto Centroamericano de abreast of trends in publishing, alert the nature of that relationship is to be Estudios del Desarrollo), Roberto Diego, and membership to new sources of information established through consultation via the Kerry Preibisch (University of Guelph), and spot emerging issues. Led by Interim listserv this year, and perhaps via further Council Members. Chair Holly Ackerman, the Section is discussion at the next LASA meeting; and 2) currently comprised of fifty–six members of LAPIS should consider broadening the name At the meeting Kirsten Appendini reported whom only six could attend this year’s of the Section to perhaps encourage on the membership and financial status of Business Meeting. affiliation by political scientists beyond those the Section and activities held during the whose work is formally on institutions. term. Members present then had a general In 2010 the Section focused on the damage Suggestions for Section names will be sought discussion on activities and issues of to university libraries and archives in Chile during the course of the year via the listserv. concern, such as increasing Section and Haiti. Brooke Wooldridge, Florida membership, increasing proposals for the International University, summarized efforts Executive Council Member Miguel Centellas AGR track, and enabling consultation with to coordinate aid to Haitian institutions and (University of Mississippi) was unanimously the Program chair for next LASA Congress. Holly Ackerman from Duke University elected Section Chair. Former Section Chair These concerns will be addressed during the summarized the situation in Chile. In the Todd Eisenstadt (American University) next term; also agreed was to participate coming year the Section plans to: 1) act as a passes to Secretary/Treasurer, and three new more actively in the LASA Forum, clearinghouse on best practices for aiding members joined the executive council: Ryan contribute to the new LASA Sections university libraries in disaster recovery; 2) Carlin (Georgia State University), Matthew website; and continue to sponsor activities at offer support to LASA staff and officers on Cleary (Syracuse University), and Tulia the next Congress, such as Section sessions this subject; 3) coordinate with other Falleti (University of Pennsylvania). The and a fieldtrip. Also agreed was to support a organizations to assist institutions in Chile new officers were welcomed. The Section travel grant for a participant to attend and Haiti; 4) organize the SSRR panel at also extends hearty thanks to the 2010 LASA2012, which the Section was not able LASA2012 around the theme of library/ LAPIS executive council members who are to do at the past Congress. After the archival recovery in Haiti and Chile; 5) use stepping down: Felipe Botero (Universidad meeting a reception was held. Section funds to support the travel of a de los Andes), Kirk Hawkins (Brigham Chilean and a Haitian librarian to Young University), and Aníbal Pérez-Liñán At LASA2010 the Section sponsored two LASA2012; and 6) ask each member of (University of Pittsburgh). sessions: a workshop on Agrarian Reform in LASA to poll their University Librarian Latin America, chaired by Carmen Diana about whether the institution is willing to Deere; and a panel “The Food Crisis under assist Haitian and Chilean universities. the Neoliberal Regime and Impact in Latin America,” chaired by Gerardo Otero. Both The Section wants to form a network of panels were well attended and gave rise to library administrators willing to make lively debate on the floor. collective requests of publishers regarding the need for extended free or below cost
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section reports continued… access during emergencies and post-disaster (Arizona State University) for his article “Of Treasurer. The Chair is Luis E. Cárcamo- recovery and to stimulate exchange between Gay Caballeros and Other Noble Heroes,” Huechante (University of Texas, Austin). staff at affected libraries and U.S. institutions in Visual Communication:Urban through the use of Fulbright awards, Title VI Representations in Latin America/ One of the peculiar strengths of the Section travel grants and other institutional Comunicación visual: representaciones has been its transnational nature, resources. urbanas en América Latina/Comunicação establishing debates which incorporate visual: representações urbanas na América scholarship on Argentina, Chile and Latina, ed. David William Foster and Denize Uruguay. In the 2010 LASA Congress, the Sexualities Studies Correa Araujo. Porto Alegre: editora–plus. Section organized three sessions around the Shawn Schulenberg, Co-chair, and Guillermo com, 2009. Ramón Gutiérrez (University of following themes: the State, everyday de los Reyes, Secretary-Treasurer Chicago) received an honorable mention for practices and urban spaces in the Southern his article “A History of Latina/o Cone; readings and cultural representations This year the Section had two panels at the Sexualities,” in Marysol Asencio, ed., of the Independence in the Centennials’ conference in Toronto: “Latin American Latina/o Sexualities: Probing Powers, narratives in South America; and territories, Sexualities: Past, Present and Future,” and Passions, Practices, and Policies, New borders and visual representations in “Contemporary Ethnographic Approaches Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, contemporary Argentina. to the Study of Latin American Sexualities.” 2010. The winners of the Carlos Monsiváis Both panels were well attended and good Award were Salvador Vidal-Ortiz (American In the coming years, the Section plans to discussions took place. During the business University), Carlos Decena (Rutgers further strengthen its transnational scope meeting, members discussed the fact that the University), Héctor Carrillo (Northwestern while at the same time developing its Section needs to recruit more members in University), and Tomás Almaguer (San interdisciplinary potential. Specific areas of order to have more panels in the future since Francisco State University) for their article debate to be considered are: first, poverty, as some good proposals had to be rejected due “Revisiting Activos and Pasivos: Toward an economic, social and ethical issue in the to lack of space. New Cartographies of Latino/Latin region; second, immigrant communities in American Male Same-Sex Desire,” in the major urban centers of the Southern At the business meeting, members evaluated Latina/o Sexualities: Probing Powers, Cone; third, the status of indigenous peoples, the pre-conference and decided that the Passions, Practices and Policies, Marysol their self-representation and their rights, Section would like to continue the tradition Asencio, ed., New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers especially in Chile and Argentina; and of organizing a pre-conference at University Press, 2010. Julieta Lemaitre fourth, the Bicentennials and the LASA2012. In addition, members discussed Ripoll received an honorable mention for “transnational shift” or the emergence of the success of the panels sponsored by the her article,“Anticlericales de nuevo: La other “imagined communities” in the realm Section and agreed that the themes for next iglesia católica como un actor político of social, aesthetic and cultural imagination, year’s conference should be in tune with the ilegítimo en materia de sexualidad y including the role and impact of the Internet LASA main theme. reproducción en América Latina,” en in this process. Derecho y sexualidades, Marcelo Alegre et Members elected the new board of directors al. 1a edición. Buenos Aires: Libraria, 2010. A more specific goal for the 2011-2012 for the next cycle: Shawn Schulenberg The prize committee members were Dara E. period is to establish a space for the Section (Marshall University) and Dara Goldman Goldman, Chair (University of Illinois- on the web, a virtual tool that will increase (University of Illinois-Urbana Champagne) Urbana Champagne), Yolanda Martínez-San communications and dialogue. Finally, the were elected as co-chairs. Guillermo de los Miguel (Rutgers University), and María Section agreed to institute the granting of Reyes was reelected secretary/treasurer. In Amelia Viteri, (Catholic University of awards for books and articles in Southern addition, the recipients of Section awards America). Cone Studies in order to recognize the were named. intellectual and academic production in the regional field. The Sexualities Studies Section gave two Southern Cone Studies awards this year recognizing outstanding Luis E. Cárcamo-Huechante, Chair, and scholarship on gender, queer and LGBT: Leila Gómez, Treasurer Venezuelan Studies Sylvia Molloy Award for the Best Academic By Daniel H. Levine, Chair Essay in the Humanities; and Carlos Led by the Section’s former chair, Professor Monsiváis Award for the Best Academic Álvaro Fernández Bravo, the Business The Section is in reasonably good shape, in Essay in the Social Sciences. The winners Meeting of the Southern Cone Studies terms of membership, despite the growing received an award certificate and a small Section (Toronto, October 2010) brought difficulty that Section members resident in cash prize of $200. The award winners were together a significant group of members (35 Venezuela face in getting access to dollars. announced at the Section’s business meeting attendees). Previous officers of the Section The problems of access to foreign currency in October 2010. The winner of the Sylvia designed and oversaw an electronic voting affect members’ ability to pay for Molloy Award was David William Foster procedure, which produced a new Chair and membership in LASA and in the Section, not
44 to mention covering the costs associated notable difficulties in getting access to with participating in LASA Congresses, foreign currency. Second, members at which can be substantial if we combine the autonomous universities report that costs of getting a visa, airfare and lodging. university budgets are very restricted and This is a growing problem and addressing it funds to support research and conference was the central item of business in the travel are no longer available. meeting. These problems have been with us for some The Section Business Meeting was held on time. The Section created a fund in support Friday October 8. The agenda of the of travel by members resident in Venezuela meeting included the announcement of but this fund has not drawn support. David elections for officers and council of the Smilde is exploring other alternatives Section, the announcement of awards for including the possibility of foundation prizes (given at every LASA meeting for best support. The experiences of various other paper) and a discussion of ways to address LASA Sections were also discussed as the economic hurdles the Section’s members possible models to emulate. The discussion resident in Venezuela are encountering. centered on these problems and on various possibilities for solution. There was also The electoral results were: David Smilde discussion on the prospects of involving staff (University of Georgia), Chair of the Section at the Bolivarian universities in joint panels for the next period and Jana Morgan as a way of stimulating a broader (University of Tennessee), Secretary- participation in the Section, and in LASA. n Treasurer. Newly elected members of council for the next period include: 1) Members resident in Venezuela, Ángel Álvarez (University of Notre Dame), whose term has not expired and who joins continuing members Verónica Zubillaga (Universidad Simón Bolívar), Francisco Rodríguez, and Tomás Straka (Universidad Católica Andrés Bello); and 2) Members resident outside Venezuela including David Hellinger, Sujatha Fernandes (City University of New York/Queens College), Jun Ishibashi (University of Tokyo), Kim Morse (Washburn University), Elizabeth Nichols (Drury University), and Alejandro Velasco (New York University). Continuing members are Charles Briggs, Luis Gómez Calcaño, Patricia Márquez, and Jennifer McCoy.
The prize for best paper in the Humanities was awarded to Luis Duno for “Geographies of Fear in Venezuelan Cinema: Soy Un Delincuente (1976) and Secuestro Express (2008).” There was no award this year for best paper in the Social Sciences.
Most of the time in the meeting was dedicated to a discussion of economic difficulties facing members resident in Venezuela and an exploration of possible strategies for addressing these problems. The problem has several facets. First, as mentioned above, members experience
45 lasaforum winter 2011 : volume xlii : issue 1 lasa sections Section News
Sexualities Studies and Gender and Feminist Studies The Reinvention of the Film Studies Section Sections Host Pre-Conference The many debates around audio-visual language in the digital age On October 5, just prior to the opening of LASA2010, the have led to the reinvention of film theory and practice as we know Sexualities Studies Section and the Gender and Feminist Studies it. The LASA Film Studies Section is no exception. Section together organized and facilitated a full-day pre-conference hosted at the Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the The Film Studies Section promotes the study of Latin American, University of Toronto. The event, entitled “Dialogues between Latino, and diasporic cinema, as well as cinema on topics related to Women’s and LGTB Rights in the Americas,” featured several panel Latin America. It also fosters cinema studies (including New Media discussions focused on interrogating the relationships between these and other audiovisual modalities) within LASA through specialized movements in their struggles for expanded rights. approaches as well as those that allow for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary dialogue. Its goal is to attract members that Within this framework, the theme for this year’s event was include cinema lovers, academics (faculty and students), critics, and “Dialogues” with discussions along four different lines: 1) North cinema professionals working in different parts of the world, who and South viewpoints; 2) academics and social activists outlooks; 3) represent a plurality of approaches and interests, methodologies, various migration experiences; and 4) LGTTTBI and gender/feminist and theories in the fields of academic research, artistic creation, and perspectives. Panels were then organized on the topics of success the cinema industry. stories, counter-movements, migration, and intersectionality. The event concluded with a viewing of the documentary ¿Oye qué bola? The activities of the Section are oriented toward collaboration Cuban Voices on Sexual Diversity. Presenters and attendees among members as well as toward coordination with other LASA included not only academics and researchers but also featured many Sections whose objects of study intersect with cinema studies. These grassroots activists and policymakers. For example, Dr. Leticia goals will be facilitated through the creation of interactive online Bonifaz, legal advisor to Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, spoke forums that will allow members to share resources (calls for papers, about the city’s recent decriminalization of abortion, while Esteban events, reviews, databases, a virtual library), to exchange ideas, and Paulón, President of Federación Argentina LGBT, discussed the to plan the activities of the Congress, and will encourage the country’s recent passage of same-sex marriage legislation. creation of group research and management projects. The Section also supports financially the LASA Film Festival. We are interested Participants of both the Gender and Feminist Studies Section and in a membership that reflects the rich and complex experience of the the Sexualities Studies Section overwhelmingly considered the event cinematic apparatus. n a great success and hope to expand on its accomplishments with another jointly hosted pre-conference in San Francisco at LASA2012.
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The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest professional association in the world for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. With over 5,500 members, thirty-five percent of whom reside outside the United States, LASA is the one association that brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe.
LASA’s mission is to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate. 416 Bellefield Hall University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA 15260
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