Acts of Growth: Development and the Politics of Abundance in Peru

Eric Hirsch examines the effects of Peru's mining boom on its southern Andean communities in his book Acts of Growth. He contends that growth is an emotional endeavor that necessitates physical and emotional labor and that Peru is wealthy. The book follows a group of Andean residents as they strive to make their economy grow by identifying as Indigenous, entrepreneurs, and resource owners.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Over the past decade, Peru has witnessed a remarkable mining boom and astronomical economic growth. However, for the villagers residing in the southern Andes of Peru, the material benefits have been limited. In his book, Eric Hirsch delves into the concept of growth and its profound impact on individuals. Hirsch proposes an analysis of boom-time capitalism that begins with the assumption that Peru is already wealthy. He conducts his research within a network of villages situated near new mining sites, agricultural export markets, and tourist attractions, where the promise of Peruvian prosperity seems tantalizingly close, yet remains out of grasp.

This book revolves around small-scale development investments aimed at transforming villagers into Indigenous entrepreneurs capable of leveraging Peru's emerging national brand and accessing the long-delayed promise of national growth. This involved embracing one's Indigenous identity, where few actively identified as such; pursuing entrepreneurship, despite the prevailing inclination to diversify income sources; and viewing every aspect of one's daily life as a resource, despite the discomfort associated with this close intimacy. Acts of Growth approaches growth as an affective project that necessitates ongoing physical and emotional labor. Through the narratives of a diverse group of Andean residents, the book follows their tireless efforts in cultivating an economy.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503630949