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2025-2026 / SOCI0756-1

Latin America: political, economic and social reconfigurations

Duration

15h Th, 15h SEM

Number of credits

 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in public administration5 crédits  
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in European policies5 crédits  
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in international relations5 crédits  
 Master in anthropology, research focus5 crédits  
 Master in population and development studies, professional focus North-South cooperation3 crédits  
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of social sciences)3 crédits  

Lecturer

Laurent Delcourt, Bernard Duterme, Melissa Schneider, Frédéric Thomas

Coordinator

Melissa Schneider

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

29/9 - Historical, social and political overview of Latin America and the Caribbean (F. Thomas)

A land of contrasts, Latin America is considered the most unequal continent in the world. Much of its social structure, the conflicts that divide it, and its place on the international stage are rooted in its colonial and post-colonial history. The introduction will provide an overview of the continent, highlighting the lines of rupture and continuity up to the present day, thereby setting the stage for the following sessions.

6/10 - Powers and struggles: progressive or reactionary forces? (B. Duterme)

Several economic, socio-political and cultural undercurrents are sweeping across Latin America. Between extractivist euphoria and periods of crisis, shifts to the left or right, integrationist tendencies and hegemonic rivalries, the climate is one of democratic instability, violence, emigration and even remilitarisation. Emancipatory rebellions and reactionary mobilisations add to the ongoing tensions.

13/10 - Land, agrarian policies and the rural world (L. Delcourt)

Many of the social problems facing Latin American societies have their roots in their agrarian past, marked by the private appropriation of land, the dominance of large estates and the marginalisation of the peasantry. Inherited from the colonial period, the land ownership structure has profoundly shaped social relations and conditioned political dynamics on the continent. Faced with the process of land concentration, however, the rural world mobilised. Access to land became the main leitmotif of Latin American social and revolutionary movements in the 20th century. Agrarian reforms were initiated by progressive governments and plebiscitary regimes. But these reforms also met with resistance from the elites and a wave of counter-reforms. These accompanied the movement towards the 'conservative modernisation' of agriculture that began in the 1970s.

20/10 - The indigenous question: between exclusion and affirmation (B. Duterme)

The indigenous question remains central in Latin America. Firstly, because the 'first peoples' are part of the region's plural identity and continue to represent, in several countries - Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, etc. - significant 'minority majorities' and, in others - Mexico, Chile, etc. - strong 'active minorities'. Secondly, because it is from these populations that rebellions have emerged in recent decades, thanks to the political and economic liberalisation of the continent, bringing with them a new 'decolonial' relationship with modernity and demanding a reconciliation of the principles of equality and diversity within nation states and the globalised economy.

3/11 - 'Extractivism' and socio-environmental issues (F. Thomas)

Rich in natural resources, the Latin American continent has traditionally based its development on the export of raw materials. At the beginning of the 21st century, in a particular regional and global political and economic context, this strategy is being renewed. Between escaping poverty and falling into the trap of dependence, implementing public policies and damaging the environment, promoting development and intensifying social conflicts, the results of this strategy continue to be debated and shed light on issues that are still relevant today and extend beyond Latin America.

10/11 - Brazil in the 21st century: trajectory of a continental giant (L. Delcourt)

Brazil aspires to play a leading role on the international stage. A continental giant and exporter of raw materials, it is also a major industrial country and the 10th largest economy in the world. However, Brazil remains a land of antagonism and contrasts, where extreme poverty coexists with extreme wealth. These disparities, a legacy of history, have shaped Brazil's socio-political dynamics and continue to weigh on its trajectory and development model. In 2003, the arrival in power of Lula, a former worker and trade unionist, raised hopes for more balanced development. But against a backdrop of serious economic, political and institutional crisis, the victory of the far-right former military officer Jair Bolsonaro in the 2018 elections has cast a shadow over the outlook. Above all, it is the culmination of a vast offensive by the Brazilian elites against the social, environmental and democratic advances made by the country since the beginning of the 21st century. After this major setback, is Lula, who returned to the presidency in 2023, in a position to change the situation?

17/11 - Haiti: challenges and prospects of a Latin American crisis (F. Thomas)

From natural disasters to political crises, Haiti seems to be sinking into an endless crisis, which is the subject of multiple UN interventions. As the poorest country in Latin America, Haiti is an extreme case rather than an isolated one. Its uniqueness is part of a pattern that affects the entire continent. The current situation and history of the world's first independent black state represent both a particular situation and a marker of the regional situation.

24/11 - Fleeing Central America (B. Duterme)

In Central America, migration is an integral part of the lives of millions of people. Between 10 and 25% of the national populations no longer live in their home countries. And hundreds of thousands more emigrants try their luck every year. Upon arrival, they provide financial support to their families back home, amounting to between one-eighth and one-quarter of the GDP of their country of origin. Two striking observations: on the one hand, the lack of democratisation in Central American societies - and the resulting physical, social, environmental and political insecurity - as the primary reason for fleeing the region; on the other hand, the conditions of migration itself - between fluctuating migration policies and endemic crime - as a systemic attack on the integrity of individuals and the right to mobility.

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, students will have a solid overview of the many issues (social, economic, environmental) that cross Latin America.

They will read contributions and debate with the course speakers.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Reading of scientific and grey literature.

Interest in the theme of the course.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

ex cathedra course

8 sessions of 3 hours face-to-face.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face to face

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège


Further information:

Course reading portfolio Latin America ULiège CETRI (Sept-Dec 24) - in french

 

 

1ère séance (intro)

 

2e séance (pouvoirs et luttes)

 

3e séance (terres)

 

4e séance (indigènes)

 

5e séance (Brésil)

 

6e séance (extractivisme)

 

7e séance (Haïti)

 

8e séance (Amérique centrale)

 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Further information:

In the first session, the supervisors will write major cross-cutting questions. Three of which will be asked on the individual written exam (two hours) in January.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Melissa Schneider

melissa.schneider@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs