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Enviado el: viernes, 22 de marzo de 2002 03:50 Dear Dennis: I have a comment and questions regarding your query. Comment: I think that it is important to realize that concepts of development are historically constructed and that they change over time. On 20th century concepts (and how Latin America always falls short and is defined in the negative as lacking something) see Richard Morse, "New World Soundings." On the emergence of the concept of the "Third World" see Arturo Escobar's "Encountering Development." Question: If I remember right, Ocatvio Paz had something to say on the topic. I think he said that 20th century development concepts were akin to 19th century scientific racism because both placed Latin America at the bottom of the totem pole. Can anyone direct me to the cite where he claims this? Question: Vasconcelos' concept of the "cosmic race" was in part supported by his claim that the center of American society before Europeans arrived was South. North American Indians had to go South to Aztecs (for Aztecs and Incas were center of civilization). My question is: was something similar going on during the Colonial era regarding concept of development. In other words, in contrast to today when the USA is the economic powerhouse of America, during the Colonial era was Spansih America (esp. Mexico) thought of as more valuable than British America (es. the mainland, the Caribbean may be more problematic)? Clearly, this is von Humboldt's argument. But were people making it before him? Thanks in advance. Richard Weiner, History Indiana Univ. at Fort Wayne
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