The Cultural Roots of Latin American Populism Views from History and Nature Cynthia Radding University of New Mexico Santa Fe Council on International Relations February 3, 2007

Foundations of Populism Mass electoral politics and universal suffrage Appeal to social and economic issues Sovereignty of the nation-state National control of natural resources

Roots and Content of Populism Class-based movements with different social groups Indigenous movements, culture, and politics of identity Politics in the street: marches, manifestations, and roadblocks New understandings of citizenship: rights and obligations

Class-based Movements Neo-liberal policies Structural adjustment Eroding standards of living Reduced social services

Maize and Global Markets Ethanol and world demand for industrial uses of maize Rising prices for Mexican consumers Importation of corn Subsidies to raise production NAFTA and peasant agriculture

Ecuador: “our America” President Rafael Correa, inaugural speech Foreign debt service renegotiation Demands to meet basic social services Integration of Latin America

Indigenous Movements Challenges to traditional national constitutions Demands for political recognition, territory, cultural dignity Responses to globalization

Regional Indigenous Politics Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional Chiapas, Mexico Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca Oaxaca, Mexico Maya of Guatemala Shuar confederation of the Amazon Ecuador Andean mobilizations Quechua Aymara Quichua Mapuche, Chile

Politics in Public Spaces Inclusion and autonomy Territorial spaces Cultural distinctiveness Autonomous communities in Chiapas Language preservation Tzotzil Mixtec Zapotec

Citizenship New political actors Internal indigenous movements Migrant populations New claims to suffrage Paisanos in Mexico Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly

Citizenship in Historical Perspective Colonial Institutions Derecho indiano Republic of Indians Republic of Spaniards Vecinos Cabildo Town Council

Transition to Republics Monarchy to national sovereignty Local custom and codified law Spanish Cortes in Cádiz Constitutions of 1812, 1820

Latin American Independence Constitutional Assemblies Chilpancingo, Mexico Tucumán, Argentina Central debates Indians and citizenship Cabildos and legislatures Elections and office holding Orozco, La Trinchera

Northwest Mexico Village councils Integrity of local government Indian Groups Yaqui Opata Pima

Chiquitos, Eastern Bolivia Mission towns and cantones Indian caciques and local elections Endurance of the cabildo in Chiquitos

Nature and Environment Resources Commodities or collective patrimony? Water, streams, wells Forests and logging Minerals Oil and natural gas

Human Rights and Populism Freedom from detention Security of life and home Right to food, housing, health care Access to education Freedom of movement Right to work and a living wage

Collaborative Research and Service Language revitalization Local histories Community traditions Populism at work

Community Environmental Management Resource use Monitoring air, soil, and water quality Waste disposal Local knowledge and decision-making Accountability

Sources of Information University of New Mexico Latin America and Iberian Institute Latin America Database University of Texas LANIC Espadaña Press SPIN México Ilustrado Photographs by the author