301272 Rhythms of autonomy in the Americas (S) (SoSe 2023)

In the Americas, we observe a multitude of different endeavors of autonomies, sometimes connected or operating in alliances, sometimes in conflicting co-existence over public support and discourse hegemony. Such a gap is evident in the local relationship between urban social movements and rural indigenous governance. Indigenous autonomy generally stands between the right to self-determination derived from cultural diversity and the demand for inclusive access to public goods as equal state citizens. Often resistance is the main common shared project and may unite different political agents in a solidary manner. On the other hand, autonomies may also differ in their relation to the past and present, encouraging different utopias or projects of the future. In this seminar, we contrast different epistemologies and practices of communitarian democracy to interrelate experiences from different parts of the Americas.

Translations will be provided for all non-English language literature.

Requirements for participation, required level

Willingness to read and discuss in English.

Bibliography

• Dinerstein, Ana (2015). Politics of Autonomy in Latin America: The Art of Organizing Hope. London
• Mora, Mariana (2017). Kuxlejal Politics: Indigenous Autonomy, Race, and Decolonizing Research in Zapatista Communities. Austin
• Gutiérrez Aguilar, Raquel (2014). Rhythms of the Pachakuti: Indigenous Uprising and State Power in Bolivia. Durham
• Escobar, Arturo (2020). Pluriversal Politics: The Real and the Possible. Durham