Ethnicity and the Politics of Development in Latin America

Over the past decades, the realities of ethnicity and the politics of development have repeatedly presented themselves for reflection in Latin America. This course seeks to identify the interfaces and interactions among the two. During the semester, we will examine four questions: First, why is ethnic inequality so persistent in the region? Second, why and how do ethnic boundaries became politicized in the region? Third, can national development and local and indigenous livelihoods coexist? Fourth, is ethnic and environmental contentious politics driving institutional transformation in Latin America?