Does Multiculturalism Menace? Governance, Cultural Rights and the Politics of Identity in Guatemala

Abstract

This article challenges the assumption that the underlying principles of state-endorsed ‘multiculturalism’ stand in tension with neoliberal political-economic policies. Based on ethnographic research in Guatemala, it is argued that neoliberalism's cultural project entails pro-active recognition of a minimal package of cultural rights, and an equally vigorous rejection of the rest. The result is a dichotomy between recognised and recalcitrant indigenous subjects, which confronts the indigenous rights movement as a ‘menace’ even greater than the assimilationist policies of the previous era. It is suggested that the most effective response to this menace is probably not to engage in frontal opposition to neoliberal regimes, but rather to refuse the dichotomy altogether.

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“…Following the work of Charles Hale, we argue that multicultural neoliberalism in Chile privileges an entrepreneurial approach to indigenous development in which a symbolic field of the 'authorised indian' is created to control the behaviour of the state's indigenous inhabitants (Hale, 2002;Hale, 2004; Hale & Millamán, 2006). Mapuche entrepreneurs operate in this field to increase their revenues.…”

“…Neoliberal multiculturalism is a labelled term coined by the American anthropologist Charles Hale as a political discourse of appreciation of ethnic diversity whereby the latter does not challenge the popular notions of the unitary state and corporate interests (Hale, 2002). With the installation of the 'indigenous' Law in 1993, Chile wanted to promote multiculturality by 'development with identity' and 'diversity within one nation' programmes.…”

“…Hale considers neoliberal multiculturalism as a form of governance in which cultural diversity is promoted but nonetheless it is no driver to greater equality (Hale, 2002). Hereby he criticises scholars as Brysk who claims that democratisationundoubtedly leads to the expansion of rights for indigenous people (Brysk, 2000).…”

“…Hale argues that neoliberal multiculturalism includes a cultural project but however reinforces the racialized inequalities already present. Resulting from of his fieldwork with the Maya's in Guatemala he states that multicultural reforms are affirming new rights and relationships between indigenous peoples and other citizens by conceding limited control (Hale, 2002). Postero in her ethnography of the Guaraní in the Bolivian lowlands claims that the Guara-ní along with other indigenous people in Bolivia have overcome the limitations of neoliberal multiculturalism brought up by Hale to engage in new forms of political contestation, shifting away from 'recognition' as a central demand.…”

“…The latter mostly occurs when a collective venture (comprised of micro-enterprises) is installed. However, considering the main economic transformations in the indigenous communities in and around Lican Ray, it is possible to note that tourism development accentuates economic differences at the community level, producing a new economic stratification among families who participate in the tourism industry and those who are not.Following the work of Charles Hale, we argue that multicultural neoliberalism in Chile privileges an entrepreneurial approach to indigenous development in which a symbolic field of the 'authorised indian' is created to control the behaviour of the state's indigenous inhabitants (Hale, 2002;Hale, 2004; Hale & Millamán, 2006). Mapuche entrepreneurs operate in this field to increase their revenues.…”