Suchergebnisse

The social sciences, including political science, developed in Latin America between the 1930s & 1950s, on the basis of theoretical & methodological orientations imported from advanced capitalist societies. They have been unable to solve the problems of the region, especially those of economic development. They have been characterized by developmental reformism, & disjointed studies of microsociological & isolated processes (eg, migratory movements or community studies) on the one hand, & classical global conceptualizations on the other. These trends require synthesis. Only recently have there been efforts to move from these orientations toward historical interpretations, taking into account all the social contradictions & conflicts which constitute Latin American reality, particularly from a dialectical, Marxist viewpoint. During the last 10-15 years these efforts have resulted in historical studies of dependency & the insertion of local economies into the world capitalist system, the characteristic class & power structures of Latin American societies, & the exploration of revolutionary goals. While the social sciences have contributed to showing the necessity for revolution in Latin America, they have done little toward its realization. S. Whittle.