Introduction
In his book, State and Society in Spanish America during the Age of Revolution, Victor Uribe-Uran, considers the period between 1760 -1850 to be a period of deep-seated transformations. Other authors had different names for the same period. For instance, palmer referred to this period as the Age of Democratic Revolution. On the other hand, Hobsbawm called this period the Age of Revolution. Many authors have carried out studies on events that took place within Latin America on different issues such as religion, politics, and even infrastructural development. Their activities relate to a period that they have referred to as the Age of Revolution (AG). Just like most authors who have adopted the theory of the Age of Revolution, Uribe-Uran uses this concept to bring out the history of Latin America in terms of political and colonial aspects (Uribe-Uran 89).
According to Uribe-Uran, Latin America’s activities cannot be separated from its colonial aspects. This is because the colonial system was of significance in various aspects that took place between 1750 to1850. Uribe-Uran makes use of the work done by others in his work. He analyzes the literature of others to get their views on activities within Latin America. In his work, Uribe-Uran considers the reasoning of others in their view about Latin America. For instance, he incorporates the views of Van Young in his book. According to Young, it would be wise to consider the late and early national eras as separate periods when analyzing the Age of Revolution. Young claims that integrating the two periods would raise several new possibilities relating to the same research. He adds by saying that systems such as those relating to production, gender, family matters, and even social relationships were in existence even before this period (Uribe-Uran 59).
These systems were altered in the Age of Revolution. He continues to say that, looking at the late 18th century and early 19th century would provide pertinent information that would be used in determining the role of this period in Latin America. Another source of evidence that Uribe-Uran uses in his work is Salvucci’s essay. The essay looks at the economic situation in Latin America. His essay confirms that, during this period, Latin America suffered from a condition that was referred to as ‘Dutch Disease’. This was as a result of export bloom and reduced traditional export. It led to inflation that affected many parts including Peru and Mexico. Salvucci demonstrates his findings by running a regression analysis that encompassed production, trading activities, and prices of various commodities such as gold and silver in New Spain. His research encompasses Brazil and the findings confirm the Dutch disease through high rates of inflation.
There are also essays in part II that tackles entrepreneurial, political elites, and processes that aim at building the state. Here, Lamar finds that most important merchants were diversifying their nature of trade and related activities. He points out there were changes in which the Chilean merchants carried out their activities. Some of the activities that were considered in this aspect were investing in land, wheat production, real estate, mining, and dealing in commercial goods. The Chileans are believed to have started carrying out the above activities by the 1750s, and continued with the same even after independence. Finally, Uribe-Uran makes use of the works of another author by the name Mark Szuchman. Szuchman looks at political, ideological, and artistic dimensions and links them to the development of the Argentine city. He examines mechanisms of social control and the military plan that took advantage of the teeming urban areas. Secondly, he looked at the material bases of town life that included the economic wellbeing of inhabitants and infrastructure. He also looked at monetary powers and the availability of public facilities in the urban setting. In his essay, he looks at the urban spaces that hosted people who were influential in the development of public opinions. Lastly, he analyzes political beliefs about metropolitan aesthetics.
The author of State and Society in Spanish America during the Age of Revolution seeks to address the effect of the Age of Revolution on Latin America. He seeks to determine the impact of this period on political independence. Also, he seeks to establish how this period facilitated appreciation of economic, political, and social changes within Latin America between the 1700s to the end of the 20th century (Uribe-Uran 90).
The author argues that the works done by various authors invited people to consider various aspects during the specified period. Some of these aspects include political, economic, cultural, and social processes. These aspects were experienced in Latin America throughout the Age of Revolution. He argues out that though they may either provide an avenue for change or not, they reflect one crucial thing; as one leaves conventional aspects, new-fangled aspects of accepting modern Latin America come into play.
Analysis and Criticism
Although the author uses evidence of others, he still believes that the issue is still wanting. For instance, he says that although research has been done, comprehensive and systematic research on Latin America is needed. According to him, studies regarding Latin America require splitting of the entire period. This has been tackled by a few studies, and in-depth studies need to be done. This would be going against what other authors believe; that dividing this entire period into sections or periods would be futile. The other confirms that all the evidence that he has used in his book tend to confirm that splitting of this period would not be appropriate. According to them, these periods are uncertain and fluid at all times (Uribe-Uran 90). Therefore, they do not provide final answers.
He does not agree with the evidence that he has used in his work. He states that other research works done on the same aspects have succeeded in forming splitting the period of concern. He confirms this by saying that splitting this period would lead to the classification of various changes within the Age of Revolution. This would facilitate separate treatments that are necessary. He concludes by saying that all the essays he has used as evidence invite people to have different considerations on issues of social aspects, political issues, cultural processes, and economic issues. However, he notes that the essential thing is to know that when one leaves the traditional system before colonization within Latin America, new perspectives of understanding the history of this place comes up. The others make strong arguments that are supported by evidence. He thoroughly examines what has been done by others and comes with a conclusion on the matter at hand. He makes use of the evidence prudently and this makes the evidence sufficient for the study. However, the weakness of this author is that he does not give a clear opinion on the issue. His comments are not inclined towards a given direction. He does not provide an answer to the question of the study.
Comparative analysis
According to Peter Hall (The Organization of American Culture, 1700-1900: Private Institutions, Elites, and the Origins of American Nationality), culture would be defined as a set of societal institutions used by people in organizing a wide range of elementary actions. The culture of Americans at around 1700 was local and ancestral. Most Americans lived in villages and urban centers of about 2500 people. In such settings, they produce food, clothing, shelter, and other welfare services that were consumed by the people in these areas. Goods and services produced were consumed in the family setting. Most systems during this period were family-controlled. The introduction of national culture served to tie communities together connecting their economies and lifestyles to urban centers (Hall 02).
Most institutions that serve to develop national coordination were set up by the nineteenth century. They included hospitals, schools, libraries, and even lawyers’ chambers. The universities formed the foundation for the professional institutions together with the communication industry. The power of the elite was based on performing activities. It was also based on the efficiency of carrying out activities. This was the basis for the extension of opportunities for a large number of people within Latin America. The policy, managerial and technical experts served to facilitate the extension of opportunities for the population. The private sector served the purpose of embracing the responsibility of the public sector. The creation of a wide range of opportunities compromised the continued existence of local and national identities. The power of mass media and related promotional activities led to’ brainwashing’. The author of this book seeks to study social groups and institutions that lead to surreptitiously dominated cultures within Latin America (Hall 04).
The first author seeks to determine the effects of the Age of Revolution on changes that occurred within Latin America. He makes use of essays by other authors as a source of evidence. He establishes an in-depth examination of the same, and he then gives his opinion. This is based on the findings of the authors of the essays he has used. On the other hand, the second author looks at the organization of the American culture, and how it led to various situations some of which exist up to today. He does not make use of evidence and his arguments are based on what has happened. He explains how the existing systems lead to activities such as advertising and acquiring educational knowledge. The second author does not use evidence in making conclusions. His research work is not supported by any essay or works of other authors. Comparing the two, the first author, Uribe-Uran, makes use of other sources of literature in his work while Hall does not use other sources. This results in watertight discussions facilitating opinion formation on the subject under study. On the other hand, the second author, Hall, does not make use of the works of others. He makes opinions based on current happenings.
Summary
The first author, Uribe-Uran makes use of evidence as sources of information in his works. He analyzes them and comes up with a conclusion based on the essays of others. He examines the effects of the Age of Revolution on Latin America1. His weakness is that he does not give a clear view or opinion on the subject matter. He seems neutral on the subject of concern. On the other hand, Hall does not make use of any evidence in his work. He makes conclusions based on what happens current time. He examines how organizational structures led to what exists currently. His weakness is the lack of usage of literary works of others as evidence for his study2.
Works Cited
Hall, Peter. The Organization of American Culture, 1700-1900: Private Institutions, Elites, and the Origins of American Nationality. New York: New York University Press, 1984.
Uribe-Uribe-Uran, Victor. State and Society in Spanish America During the Age of Revolution. Wilmington, Del: SR Books, 2001.
Footnotes
- Uribe-Uribe-Uran, Victor. State and Society in Spanish America During the Age of Revolution. Wilmington, Del: SR Books, 2001.
- Hall, Peter. The Organization of American Culture, 1700-1900: Private Institutions, Elites, and the Origins of American Nationality. New York: New York University Press, 1984.