THE ROLE OF THE SOCIOLOGIST AND THE GROWTH OF SOCIOLOGY IN LATIN AMERICA

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 21, Heft 3, S. 428-432

Abstract

It is observed that 'In no other continent is the sociol'st held in such esteem' as in Latin America. No Latin Amer U today is without either its dept of sociol or plans for creating one. Teachers of sociol are frequently given what other U staff are still denied: full-time employment, high salaries, & funds for res. Sociol'ts are in a professional category like MD's, lawyers or engineers. The sociol'st is by no means a mere theorist, but rather is asked not only to account for & explain the crisis Latin America is passing through, but also to deal with it. However, the sham importance conferred on the sociol'st brings him little advantage. Often all he can do is line up statistics, make a few resounding tautological statements & endorse the prevailing ideas of the environment in which he lives. An overestimation of the power of sociol results in the virtual destruction of any possibility of genuine res & of the conditions necessary for sound teaching. The outcome will be as many sociol's as there are ideologies-not to mention countless minor variations-each claiming that it alone is sci'fic. If by any chance one particular approach is adopted by res workers, their agreement will be due not to the perfection of their logic, but the efficiency with which they have eliminated other doctrines. Many countries are so taken up with creating or maintaining instit's that sci itself is forgotten. Important also is that the diff soc sci's & sociol tend to merge into each other in Latin America; this makes it difficult for sociol to develop independently & to be self-critical. A new conception of the role of sociol'st is emerging. M. Maxfield.