Indelible Inequalities in Latin America

“Inequality in virtually all its multifaceted dimensions and in extremely varied surroundings does indeed appear to be an ‘indelible’ characteristic of contemporary Latin American society. Conventional literature tends to treat the issue either in strictly economic or political-economic terms, or in ways that suggest invariant deficiencies. This collection explores it in a more complex and intellectually satisfying way, by treating inequality as ‘relational,’ following the thought of the late Charles Tilly. This approach opens up the phenomenon of inequality to a much broader range of descriptive and analytical strategies, aptly illustrated by the diversity of approaches represented in this volume.” - John Coatsworth, Columbia University

“This book will remind readers that just as we cannot talk about democracy without tackling exclusion, we cannot make sense of justice without understanding inequality. In Latin America, hierarchies of many types have reproduced in many ways. The essays in this volume illuminate this plural past, where dichotomies coexist with challenges to them, where disparate relations persist despite their fluidity. It is a provocative and field-opening volume.” - Jeremy Adelman, Princeton University

“Indelible Inequalities in Latin America raises many important questions. . . . for those who are serious in studying why extreme inequality still exists in Latin America, this book is a useful addition to one’s reading list.” - Richard Grossman, History: Reviews of New Books

“Indelible Inequalities is an illuminating volume for scholars interested in innovative approaches to inequality, or for readers familiar with Latin American history interested in how inequality is perpetrated through less conspicuous means. Readers will gain from both individual chapters and
the volume as a whole.” - Ignacio Arana Araya, The Latin Americanist

“[A] highly worthwhile read. . . . The ideas of Charles Tilly are both usefully employed and considerably developed, and the result is a detailed, ethnographically rich text that not only lays bare the roots of Latin American inequality, but provides us with valuable suggestions for bringing about change. Readers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds who have an interest in Latin America, inequality, or both will find ample sources of information and inspiration in this book.” - Emma O'Driscoll, History and Anthropology

“[T]his is an important contribution to research on inequalities in the region and should be read profitably by a broad range of scholars, including historians, political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, social and cultural geographers, and cultural studies specialists.” - Paulo Drinot, Bulletin of Latin American Research

“Based on extensive, methodologically different research conducted in countries like Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Cuba and the US, these essays help us understand a relational logic we cannot find elsewhere in the world.” - Antonádia Borges, Social Anthropology

"Paul Gootenberg and Luis Reygadas have brewed such a potent mix of perspectives and disciplinary approaches to the theme of inequality that one would expect, like an experiment in a chemistry lab, some kind of small explosion or effusion of purple smoke to signal the beginning of a chain reaction that transforms the field…. [The authors] bring together a broad range of approaches to inequality in Latin America that together provide a nuanced picture of it." - Gavin O'Toole, Latin American Review of Books

 “Together the collection provides a fresh and coherent look at the perpetuation of inequalities in Latin America and offers much to think about and build upon, for scholars and students of the Americas and beyond.” - Betsy Konefal, Labor