Social Movements and the Struggles for Rights, Justice and Democracy in Paraguay

This book analyzes the principal social movements in Paraguay since the transition to democracy, exploring how they contribute to progressive policy, socio-economic development, and democracy in the context of a weak state, authoritarian political elite, and deficient democratization process. It brings together scholars, activists, and practitioners of social critique and community organizing to reflect on movements involving peasant, indigenous, and agrarian rights, LGBTQ and feminist struggles, labor union struggles, and student demands for access to quality education and social development. The volume is the first English-language book on social movements in Paraguay and aims to provide a deeper understanding of these movements and their contributions to development and democracy in the region.

Format: Hardback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Paraguay is a country that has been largely overlooked, but it is incredibly fascinating. The country has experienced cycles of popular mobilization and repression due to war, dictatorship, and elite capture. However, its social movements are not as well-known to international audiences as they should be. This book aims to analyze the principal social movements in Paraguay since the transition to democracy and explore how they contribute to progressive policy, socio-economic development, and democracy in the context of a weak state, authoritarian political elite, and deficient democratization process.

The book employs critical perspectives from sociology, anthropology, geography, and political science to bring together scholars, activists, and practitioners of social critique and community organizing. The contributors reflect on movements involving peasant, indigenous, and agrarian rights to land and livelihoods, LGBTQ and feminist struggles, labor union struggles, and student demands for access to quality education and social development. They also examine how the particularisms of Paraguay result in differences from other Latin American movements and how overarching regional tendencies may explain the similarities.

This volume is the first English-language book on social movements in Paraguay, and it aims to provide a deeper understanding of these movements. It contributes to the analysis of how social movements within the context of a weak state, authoritarian political elite, and deficient democratization process contribute to progressive public policy, socio-economic development, and democracy. By focusing on the particularism of Paraguay and its regional context, this book aims to shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by social movements in the country.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031258824
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023