Description
Book SynopsisOxhorn studies the process by which social groups are incorporated into national socioeconomic and political development through an approach that focuses on the social construction of citizenship. He sets forth a theory of civil society adequate for explaining current developments in a way that such controversial neoconservative theories cannot.
Trade Review“In this seminal book, Philip Oxhorn proves himself the T. H. Marshall of Latin America. In thoughtful, historically rich detail, Oxhorn shows how and explains why political, economic, and social rights have evolved differently in Chile, Bolivia, and Mexico than in the now-developed democracies. A must-read!”
—Susan Eckstein,Boston University
“In this pathbreaking study of the transformation of civil society in late twentieth-century Latin America, Philip Oxhorn explores how market liberalization altered the social landscape and affected the practice of democratic citizenship. The result is a masterful analysis of the interrelated character of social, economic, and political change—and a highly sobering assessment of Latin America’s democratic dilemma. Sustaining Civil Society is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about the inherent tensions among democratic political rights, economic inequality, and social exclusion.”
—Kenneth M. Roberts,Cornell University
“Sustaining Civil Society combines a thoughtful, critical theoretical approach to civil society with case studies—informed by extensive fieldwork—of Chile, Bolivia, and Mexico. This book will become the definitive reference for studies of civil society and democracy in Latin America and an essential tool for broader comparative work.”
—John Peeler,Bucknell University
“Sustaining Civil Society cements Phillip Oxhorn’s intellectual leadership in the field of citizenship studies. Oxhorn’s pathbreaking book probes the construction of citizenship at the intersection of complex economic, sociocultural, and political transformations in societies deeply scarred by egregious inequalities. Sustaining Civil Society masterfully weaves together sophisticated theoretical analysis with empirically rich case studies of Chile, Bolivia, and Mexico to establish new benchmarks for research in comparative politics and political sociology.”
—William C. Smith,University of Miami, editor of Latin American Politics and Society
“Sustaining Civil Society confirms Philip Oxhorn’s intellectual leadership in the field of citizenship and civil society studies. This book probes the construction of citizenship at the intersection of complex economic, sociocultural, and political transformations in societies deeply scarred by egregious inequalities. Oxhorn masterfully weaves together sophisticated theoretical analysis with empirically rich case studies of Bolivia, Chile, and Mexico to establish new benchmarks for research in comparative politics and political sociology.”
—William C. Smith,University of Miami, editor of Latin American Politics and Society
Table of ContentsContents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
1 Civil Society and the Social Construction of Citizenship
2 Controlled Inclusion and the Elusive Goal of Citizenship as Agency
3 Dictatorship or Democracy: The Rise of Neopluralism and Citizenship as Consumption
4 Testing the Limits of Citizenship: Chile’s Democratic Transition
5 The Failure of Citizenship: Bolivia’s Popular Participation Law
6 The Promise of Citizenship: Civil Society and Mexico’s Transition to Democracy
7 Latin America’s Democratic Crossroads: The Challenge of Making Civil Society Relevant
Notes
References
Index
