Republics of Knowledge: Nations of the Future in Latin America

Nicola Miller's book "Republics of Knowledge" explores how nineteenth-century Latin America shaped its identity through the creation and sharing of knowledge, challenging the narrative that modernization was a strictly North Atlantic affair. It suggests that all modern nations can be viewed as communities of shared knowledge, reshaping our conception of nationhood.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The emergence of nation-states is a defining feature of the modern era, yet the complex process of their formation across the globe remains largely unexplored. In this insightful account, Nicola Miller delves into the intricate relationship between knowledge and nationhood in nineteenth-century Latin America, shedding light on previously underappreciated mechanisms that shaped the identity of nascent republics. Through a comprehensive examination of Argentina, Chile, and Peru, Republics of Knowledge traces the histories of these countries from their early independence in the early 1800s to their centennial celebrations in the twentieth century.

Miller identifies how the public exchange of ideas influenced policymaking, the development of a collective identity, and the broader socio-political landscape. She challenges the notion that modernization was solely a North Atlantic phenomenon, demonstrating how knowledge traveled both ways between Latin America and Europe. Moreover, she explores how certain forms of knowledge gained legitimacy and value locally and globally, shaping the trajectory of nation-building.

In the final analysis, Miller suggests that all modern nations can be viewed as communities of shared knowledge, offering a transformative perspective that reshapes our understanding of the foundations of nationhood. With its transnational framework and interdisciplinary approach, Republics of Knowledge opens up new avenues for exploring the histories of modern nations and the foundations of modernity in a global context.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691176758