Biblioteca Digital de VanguardiaConsidering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates
The approaches to the middle classes that have been dominant in Latin American thought and that structure current academic debate form the analytical nucleus of this article. In particular, this article focuses on stratification and social and political mobility, as topics of contemporary reflection...
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| Formato: | Revistas |
| Lenguaje: | Español |
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Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede Ecuador
2022
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| Acceso en línea: | https://iconos.flacsoandes.edu.ec/index.php/iconos/article/view/5255 |
| _version_ | 1782344305222877184 |
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| author | Díaz, Isabel |
| author_facet | Díaz, Isabel |
| author_sort | Díaz, Isabel |
| collection | Revista |
| description | The approaches to the middle classes that have been dominant in Latin American thought and that structure current academic debate form the analytical nucleus of this article. In particular, this article focuses on stratification and social and political mobility, as topics of contemporary reflection, and the need to overcome myths that result from the unrestrained use of this concept. Following the optimism characteristic of the first two decades of the 21st century, questions emerge regarding the vulnerability of these middle segments of the population in the region. To synthesize these debates, this article offers a revision of the existing literature on the Latin American middle classes. The relationship between such classes and the state in the historical development of both in Latin America has been of central concern. In addition, certain myths are problematized that guide the public debate regarding the politicization of these sectors: neither “florindos” (self-centered) nor “ciudadanos de bien” (good citizens). Finally, the article reflects on how to study the middle layers of society in troubled times, placing labor uncertainty at the forefront of academic discussion. |
| format | Revistas |
| id | iconos-article-5255 |
| institution | Íconos - Revista de Ciencias Sociales |
| language | Español |
| publishDate | 2022 |
| publisher | Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede Ecuador |
| record_format | ojs |
| spelling | iconos-article-52552022-09-01T15:15:45Z Considering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates Pensar las clases medias desde América Latina: una actualización de viejos debates Pensando as classes médias da América Latina: uma atualização de antigos debates Díaz, Isabel América Latina classes médias estratificação mobilidade social politização vulnerabilidade Latin America middle classes stratification social mobility politization vulnerability América Latina clases medias estratificación movilidad social politización vulnerabilidad The approaches to the middle classes that have been dominant in Latin American thought and that structure current academic debate form the analytical nucleus of this article. In particular, this article focuses on stratification and social and political mobility, as topics of contemporary reflection, and the need to overcome myths that result from the unrestrained use of this concept. Following the optimism characteristic of the first two decades of the 21st century, questions emerge regarding the vulnerability of these middle segments of the population in the region. To synthesize these debates, this article offers a revision of the existing literature on the Latin American middle classes. The relationship between such classes and the state in the historical development of both in Latin America has been of central concern. In addition, certain myths are problematized that guide the public debate regarding the politicization of these sectors: neither “florindos” (self-centered) nor “ciudadanos de bien” (good citizens). Finally, the article reflects on how to study the middle layers of society in troubled times, placing labor uncertainty at the forefront of academic discussion. Las aproximaciones a las clases medias que han primado en el pensamiento latinoamericano y organizan el debate académico actual conforman el núcleo analítico de este artículo. Se otorga especial interés a la estratificación y la movilidad social y política en cuanto ejes de la reflexión contemporánea, así como al imperativo de superar los mitos que suelen tejerse a raíz del uso desenfrenado de este concepto. Luego del optimismo característico de las dos primeras décadas del siglo XXI, despuntan interrogantes en torno a la vulnerabilidad de los sectores medios en la región. A fin de sistematizar tales controversias, en este trabajo se ofrece una revisión de la literatura especializada sobre las clases medias latinoamericanas. De ello se desprende la centralidad que ha ocupado la relación entre dichas clases y el Estado en el devenir histórico de ambos en América Latina. Además, se problematizan ciertos mitos que guían el debate público sobre los procesos de politización de estos sectores: ni “florindos” ni “ciudadanos de bien”. Finalmente, se marcan coordenadas para una agenda de investigación sobre las clases medias en tiempos de crisis, colocando a la incertidumbre laboral en la primera línea de la discusión académica. As abordagens sobre as classes médias que prevaleceram no pensamento latino-americano e organizam o debate acadêmico atual compõem o núcleo analítico deste artigo. Especial interesse é relegado à estratificação e mobilidade social e política como eixos da reflexão contemporânea, bem como o imperativo de superação dos mitos que costumam ser tecidos em decorrência do uso desenfreado desse conceito. Após o otimismo característico das duas primeiras décadas do século XXI, surgem questões sobre a vulnerabilidade dos setores médios da região. Para sistematizar tais controvérsias, este artigo oferece uma revisão da literatura especializada sobre as classes médias latino-americanas. Disso, decorre a centralidade que a relação entre essas classes e o Estado ocupou na evolução histórica de ambas na América Latina. Ademais, são problematizados certos mitos que orientam o debate público sobre os processos de politização desses setores: nem "florindos" nem "cidadãos de bem". Por fim, são definidas as coordenadas para uma agenda de pesquisa sobre a classe média em tempos de crise, colocando a incerteza laboral em primeiro plano na discussão acadêmica. Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede Ecuador 2022-09-01 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Artículo evaluado por pares application/pdf text/html application/xml application/epub+zip https://iconos.flacsoandes.edu.ec/index.php/iconos/article/view/5255 10.17141/iconos.74.2022.5255 Íconos - Revista de Ciencias Sociales; Núm. 74 (2022): Gobierno, educación y pandemia en América Latina; 159-175 Íconos - Revista de Ciencias Sociales; n. 74 (2022): Governo, educação e pandemia na América Latina; 159-175 Íconos. Revista de Ciencias Sociales; No. 74 (2022): Government, education and pandemic in Latin America; 159-175 1390-8065 1390-1249 spa https://iconos.flacsoandes.edu.ec/index.php/iconos/article/view/5255/4149 https://iconos.flacsoandes.edu.ec/index.php/iconos/article/view/5255/4171 https://iconos.flacsoandes.edu.ec/index.php/iconos/article/view/5255/4160 https://iconos.flacsoandes.edu.ec/index.php/iconos/article/view/5255/4182 Derechos de autor 2022 Isabel Díaz https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/deed.es_ES |
| spellingShingle | Díaz, Isabel Considering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates |
| title | Considering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates |
| title_full | Considering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates |
| title_fullStr | Considering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Considering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates |
| title_short | Considering middle-classes in Latin America: An update of old debates |
| title_sort | considering middle-classes in latin america: an update of old debates |
| url | https://iconos.flacsoandes.edu.ec/index.php/iconos/article/view/5255 |