Introduction: Indigenous peoples and autonomy in Latin America

Abstract

At the threshold of the twenty-first century, the concept of autonomy is a disputed term within academia and among different social sectors globally and regionally. In particular, the meaning of the term 'autonomy' remains elusive and highly contested in the relationships between Indigenous Peoples and Latin American states. The case studies and reflections presented in this special issue provide evidence that the concept of autonomy is not enough to understand the complex relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the kind of state that prevails today in Latin America. Throughout the region, capitalism as a global mode of production continues to expand and dominate, liberal democracy is characterized by limited levels of pluri-cultural participation in state decision-making, and there is widespread corruption and abuse of power among state officials at different levels. Moreover, liberal democracy continues to disregard the pressing socioeconomic needs of the low-income sectors of society, in particular Indigenous Peoples. After reviewing the materials included in the special issue, this introductory essay argues that a theoretical convergence between decolonial and Indigenous studies and scholarship can offer an enhanced perspective for interpreting the meaning of autonomy.

Tibet’s response to state nationalism: Utilising China’s fear of secession

“…The Dalai Lama reinforced this position in the Strasburg proposal of 1988. He hoped that the Tibetans would get autonomy in local matters, participate in decision‐making, and exercise direct control over the natural resources; the middle‐way would enable a ‘pluricultural participation in the state’s decision‐making’ (Gonzales & Gonzales, 2015: 1). The access to decision‐making and control over the natural resources would make China a multinational state in a practical sense.…”

The political institutionalization of the social economy in Ecuador: Indigeneity and institutional logics

“…Renewed recognition of the collective social economy traditions of indigenous communities and their value to the development process has formed part of the wider emergence of what is often referred to as new forms of ‘post-neoliberal’ collective action (Radcliffe, 2012). Here, social movements have sought to promote ‘alternatives to development’ that recognize the importance of autonomy in the production and dissemination of knowledge from across the global South (Gonzales and González, 2015). The result has been the creation of diverse social programmes that incorporate solidarity principles, diversity and the role of community economies (Amin, 2013; Gibson-Graham and Cameron, 2007), including those that recognize and revive native indigenous people’s traditions and values (Escobar, 2010).…”

Repensando el Estado y la política desde la autonomía indígena: la construcción del Gobierno Territorial Autónomo de la Nación Wampis

“…Ella plantea que contextos de grave crisis política y reconfiguración constitucional abren espacios de negociación del tipo de régimen estatal, que permiten a los partidos políticos «étnicos» legalizar sus demandas de autonomía. Aunque los beneficios de ganar el reconocimiento formal al ejercicio de la autonomía son innegables (Gonzales y González, 2015), consideramos que esta aproximación es problemática porque establece una clasificación a priori del éxito político desde la perspectiva del Estado, que es el que define lo políticamente posible. Este criterio contrasta con la gran diversidad de orígenes, de tipos de relación con el Estado y estructuras de las autonomías indígenas en América Latina 2 , que más bien muestran una imagen pluriversal (Delgado, 2015, 2 Podemos establecer distintos tipos de autonomías indígenas en América Latina, desde la relación que establecen con sus Estados-nación.…”