Theory & Research
How is “progress” understood in this
territory? For whom is it intended? How has Bolivian society,
particularly in Santa Cruz, been transformed in recent decades? Why
speak of authoritarianism? Seeking collective answers to these
questions—and opening the door to new ones—we met in July at a
roundtable during the Congress of the Association of Bolivian Studies
(AEB). This text summarises the reflections that emerged and presents
a set of ongoing research projects.
Global South
In PerspectiveThe rise of right-wing discourses in Latin America presents itself as a promise of change, appealing to meritocracy, pragmatism, and economic recovery. Yet behind this language of renewal lies a familiar political logic. In a context of crisis, uncertainty, and generational weariness, these narratives recycle conservative and authoritarian measures while positioning themselves as “real solutions,” gaining particular traction among young people who navigate vulnerability, disillusionment, and the search for stability.
In PerspectiveThe new volume from IRGAC and kollektiv orangotango brings together more than 50 first-hand accounts of anti-authoritarian movements, activists, artists, and scholars from around the world, focusing on the sensuous and emotional dimension of their strategies
By Börries Nehe and Aurel Eschmann
Theory & ResearchMexico has, up to date, 115,062 people reported as being disappeared. The problem is evident but raises many questions. Who counts as disappeared? How do we count disappearance? Who counts as “disappeared” and who not? Is every absence a disappearance? How valid is it to invoke disappearance in the case of absences? What do we understand when we hear that “people can disappear”?
Theory & ResearchA direct link between the 2021 national strike in Colombia and Gustavo Petro’s 2022 presidential election victory are often alluded to by academics, politicians, and the media. Although this premise is not false, it is a superficial explanation that fits well with the progressive discourses of the region. The purpose of this text is to question the linear thinking behind these processes, as well as present the Petro government’s slogan of política de amor (politics of love) as a link to the fashionable policies of reconciliation and forgiveness.
