The book Struggles for Rights, Justice, and Democracy in Paraguay and Social Movements delves into the heart of social movements in Paraguay, providing a thorough exploration across twelve chapters. Each chapter presents insights into the historical and current struggles for rights, justice, and democracy. The book discusses the roles played by various groups such as peasants, indigenous communities, and women in shaping Paraguay’s socio-political landscape. Understanding these intricacies is crucial for gaining insights into the social dynamics. The editors argue that examining both regional-level movements is essential to appreciate each region’s distinct discourses, traditions and cultures. Therefore, this book contributes to the discourse surrounding social movements in Paraguay as a case study. The book encourages readers to engage with Paraguay’s protest culture and enhances international awareness.
The editors position their discussion within academic conversations on social movements and democratization processes in Latin America. Chapter 2 offers a comprehensive historical overview, highlighting how past events like the Triple Alliance War and the Stroessner dictatorship have influenced the evolution of social movements. These movements are closely linked to progress in democratization and social equality following the end of the Stroessner regime. The book explores these movements’ impacts on Paraguay’s socio-fabric. In social movement studies, numerous theories exist today: Resource mobilization, political process, collective behavior, or frame theory. Examining country and region-specific situations through these lenses adds academic depth by testing and applying these theories. A theoretical framework is lacking despite discussing some of these theories in the book. The chapters are filled with details; however it often lacks thorough examination within a solid theoretical context. This gap is notably evident in the chapter focusing on the labor movement. Nevertheless, the book effectively explores various social movements in Paraguay and vividly depicts the country’s sociopolitical landscape through these movements. For instance, Ramón Fogel’s analysis in Chapter 3 outlines two decades by outlining the struggle for land rights and the influence of agribusiness on communities. Fogel proposes that the peasant movement plays a role in challenging oligarchic dominance in Paraguay. He highlights the importance of land rights for farmers and delves into the strategies devised to resist the influence of agricultural businesses. When examining movements in Paraguay, it becomes apparent that the issues at stake go beyond local matters and reflect broader international challenges, even if not explicitly stated in the book. Likewise, Jamie Gagliano, in Chapter 4, focusing on CONAMURI (National Organization of Rural and Indigenous Women Workers) sheds light on how it has risen as one of the significant peasant organizations in Paraguay since its establishment in 1999. Gagliano’s exploration of agroecology offers a unique viewpoint on how these women are challenging the dominance of GMO crops and advocating for sustainable farming methods. This section delves into gender and environmental activism. Chapter 5, by Andréanne Brunet Bélanger delves into the actions and protests carried out by the Xákmok Kásek community emphasizing the importance of freedoms such as access to clean water as part of their land and culture. Despite facing resistance from authorities in recognizing indigenous rights, their legal endeavors on an international level persist alongside continued advocacy efforts at a local level. This scenario highlights the necessity of empathy and understanding, even within small communities. However, some find it challenging to grasp this intriguing study without a solid theoretical basis and a clear analytical framework. For example, their international advocacy against hegemony could have been analyzed through a hegemonic struggle framework.
In Chapter 6, Ignacio González Bozzolasco and Raquel Rojas explore the Paraguayan labor movement at the beginning of the 21st century. They analyze the challenges labor unions face, particularly in navigating the impacts of neoliberal policies and the legacy of corporatism from the Stroessner era. This chapter provides a critical look at labor dynamics, discussing how unions have adapted to shifting economic and political landscapes while continuing to advocate for workers’ rights and social justice. Chapter 7 continues with Raquel Rojas, who argues that unions should address both classbased and gender-based inequalities to meet workers’ needs more comprehensively. Following this, Charmain Levy and María Molinas Cabrera, in Chapter 8, examine the evolution and impact of feminism in Paraguay. This chapter highlights how women’s sociopolitical status in Paraguay falls behind that of Latin American nations like Argentina, Chile and Brazil. It details how the feminist movement has been pushing for inclusive policies, expanded rights and combating violence against women since the 1990s during the transition to democracy. The movement’s various forms of activism and intersectional approaches are noted for advocating justice and true democracy through education, protests, and national feminist networks. Chapter 9 by Marco Castillo and Mirta Moragas Mereles explores state violence against gender minorities in Paraguay, highlighting how this violence impacts the boundaries of citizenship. Despite efforts to guarantee equal rights following the transition to democracy in 1989, systemic inequalities and repressive state structures remain. The authors argue that negative narratives originating from the Stroessner dictatorship continue to be used to justify violence against these individuals. The chapter underscores the importance of the movement’s efforts to challenge and reshape the boundaries of citizenship in the fight against dominant definitions.
Chapter 10 focus on student movements, with Luis Ortiz examining student movements in Paraguay from 1989 onwards, the emphasis is placed on their pursuit of education rights and their contribution to democratization efforts. These movements involve social actors advocating not only for education but also challenging societal inequalities. He notes that these movements are diverse and sometimes encounter disagreements. Ortiz emphasizes the role of student movements in promoting democratization and expanding rights in Paraguay. Chapter 11, authored by Magdalena López and Jorgelina Loza, provides further analysis of student protests, examining landmark actions taken by student groups. A focal point in this chapter is the UNA No te Calles movement of 2015, which translates to ‘UNA, Don’t Be Silent.’ This movement began as a reaction to corruption and administrative misconduct within the National University of Asunción (UNA). Through organized protests and sitins, students demanded transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms, eventually leading to the resignation of several high-ranking officials. López and Loza discuss how UNA No te Calles became emblematic of student resistance and initiated a broader dialogue about corruption within Paraguayan higher education. The chapter also covers additional significant protests, such as the occupation of the Catholic University of Asunción (UCA) in 2017 and the 2020 campaign for free university education. These actions underscore the growing political consciousness of Paraguayan students, who frequently align with other societal movements to address authoritarian practices and inequality in education. Despite encountering resistance and occasional violence from government authorities, these movements display a sense of political unity and determination, making student activism a key element of Paraguay’s socio-political landscape. While the book sheds light on how neoliberal policies and conservative ideologies impact these social movements, a more consistent theoretical structure across chapters would increase the analytical depth. This approach could better connect discussions on neoliberal and conservative forces as they intersect across different social movements. By aligning discussions around shared constraints like state repression and conservative ideologies, the book could achieve greater cohesion, providing readers with a more comprehensive perspective on Paraguayan social movements.
Overall, Struggles for Rights, Justice, and Democracy in Paraguay and Social Movements is a detailed and comprehensive work aimed at readers with a strong interest in Latin American studies and Paraguayan socio-political issues. Its in-depth case studies and historical analysis make it particularly valuable for researchers, academics, and policymakers. The book provides a nuanced understanding of various social movements in Paraguay offering insights into how these movements have shaped the country’s political and social landscape. It is an essential resource for those seeking to understand the dynamics of grassroots activism, democratization, and social justice in Paraguay, particularly in the Latin American context.
