Socio-political Histories of Latin American Statistics

This book explores the sociopolitical history of Latin American statistics from the nineteenth to the first half of the twentieth century, highlighting the influence of social constructivism and the unique ways in which the region adapted and used statistical reasoning to build political regimes and scientific arenas.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the rich sociopolitical history of Latin American statistics, spanning from the nineteenth to the early twentieth century. Drawing upon the insights of social constructivism, it sheds fresh light on the historical emergence and evolution of statistical reasoning and practices within a region often perceived as a passive recipient of foreign-produced theories and methodologies. By examining the processes of institutionalization of statistics across various national contexts, from Mexico to the Southern Cone, these studies unveil the distinct ways in which Latin America adapted and utilized this modern tool of governance and social classification to shape political regimes and scientific arenas. The early fervor for enumerating reality, the routine production of statistics and censuses, and the region's significant role in the global transformation of this knowledge are among the key aspects explored to grasp the contingent dynamics of these dialogues and appropriations. Thus, Socio-Political Histories of Latin American Statistics aims to provide novel perspectives on the diverse regional trajectories of this discipline, advancing toward a comprehensive understanding of statistics and its past from a truly global vantage point.

Introduction:
Latin America has a unique sociopolitical history, marked by the influence of colonialism, economic development, and political instability. Statistics has played a crucial role in shaping this history, serving as a tool for government control, social classification, and scientific research. This book aims to explore the sociopolitical history of Latin American statistics, focusing on the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Social Constructivism and the Historical Emergence of Statistics:
Social constructivism is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the role of social and cultural factors in shaping human behavior and knowledge. It has had a significant impact on the social sciences, including statistics. In Latin America, the influence of social constructivism can be seen in the way that statistics has been used to construct and reinforce social identities, promote social justice, and address social inequality.
Institutionalization of Statistics in Latin America:
The institutionalization of statistics in Latin America was a gradual process that began in the late nineteenth century. Initially, statistics was used by governments to control population growth, track economic development, and manage public resources. However, as the region became more politically independent, statistics began to be used for more democratic purposes, such as monitoring elections, collecting data on social welfare, and conducting scientific research.
Divergent Regional Trajectories:
Latin America is a diverse region, with each country having its own unique history, culture, and political system. This diversity has led to divergent regional trajectories in the development of statistics. Some countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, have developed strong statistical institutions and have been at the forefront of statistical innovation. In contrast, other countries, such as Argentina and Chile, have faced challenges in developing reliable statistics and have been more dependent on foreign-produced data.
The Role of Statistics in Building Political Regimes:
Statistics has played a significant role in building political regimes in Latin America. Governments have used statistics to justify their policies, control the population, and maintain social order. For example, during the authoritarian regimes of the twentieth century, statistics were used to suppress dissent and maintain political stability.
The Role of Statistics in Scientific Research:
Statistics has also played a crucial role in scientific research in Latin America. Scientists have used statistics to analyze data, draw conclusions, and develop new theories. For example, in the field of economics, statistics has been used to study market trends, predict economic crises, and develop policies to promote economic growth.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the sociopolitical history of Latin American statistics is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Social constructivism has played a significant role in shaping the way, and the region has adapted and used statistics to build political regimes and scientific arenas. While there have been divergent regional trajectories, statistics has played a crucial role in shaping the political, social, and economic landscape of Latin America. By understanding the past and present of statistics, we can gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that the region faces in the future.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030877163
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022