Cultural Identity and Social Liberation in Latin American Thought

Cultural Identity and Social Liberation in Latin American Thought by Schutte, Ofelia. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780791413180.

This book defines the relationship between liberation and cultural identity in the Latin American social reality―from a historically rooted, critical philosophy. Schutte explores the connections between the diverse political and intellectual movements for social liberation in Latin America since 1920. She analyzes the variety of attempts to give meaning to the complex and conflictive nature of Latin Americas social reality, critiquing the work of Jose Carlos Mariategui, Samuel Ramos and Leopoldo Zeas early work, Gustavo Gutierrez, and Paulo Freire, among others. Schuttes approach is philosophical with a distinctly interdisciplinary context. Her discussion of feminism brings the question of womens equality to the forefront of discussions on Latin American social thought. Concluding with the contemporary ethical and political implications, Schutte argues that liberation-oriented theories are sustained yet heterogeneous attempts to deal with Latin Americas difficult economic, social, and political problems.