The Redemptive Work: Railway and Nation in Ecuador, 1895-1930 (Latin American Silhouettes)

A CHOICE Outstanding Academic Book! Professor Kim Clark explores a time period and country for which little has been published in English. By studying the dimensions of politics and culture as one, Professor Clark argues that the local railroad case served as a demonstration of some of the problems that were most important during the liberal period. At the turn of the century, diverse political, economic, and social conditions divided Ecuador. During the construction of the Guayaquil-Quito Railway, the people of Ecuador faced the challenge of working together. The Redemptive Work: Railway and Nation in Ecuador, 1895D1930 examines local, regional, and national perspectives on the building of the railway and analyzes the contradictory processes of national incorporation. Rather than examining the formation of Ecuador's national identity, Professor Clark analyzes the methods of two groups working on the same project but with opposing goals. The elite landowners of the highlands were concerned with the transportation of their agricultural products to the coast, while the agro-export elite of the coast were more interested in forming a labor market. Because the underlying objectives were contradictory, only a partial consensus was reached on the nature of national development. This tense agreement channeled the conflicting opinions but did not eliminate them. The Redemptive Work is the first text to deal with these complex issues in Ecuador's history. The Redemptive Work is useful for undergraduate and graduate courses in Latin American history, social history, anthropology, political science, and nation and state formation. Professor Kim Clark Explores A Time Period And Country For Which Little Has Been Published In English. By Studying The Dimensions Of Politics And Culture As One, Professor Clark Argues That The Local Railroad Case Served As A Demonstration Of Some Of The Problems That Were Most Important During The Liberal Period. At The Turn Of The Century, Diverse Political, Economic, And Social Conditions Divided Ecuador. During The Construction Of The Guayaquil And Quito Railway, The People Of Ecuador Faced The Challenge Of Working Together. The Redemptive Work Examines And Ties Together Various Local, Regional, And National Perspectives On The Building Of The Railway And The Role Its Construction Played In National Incorporation. This Unusual Book Is Useful For Undergraduate And Graduate Students Interested In Expanding Their Knowledge In The Fields Of Latin American History, Social History, Anthropology, Historical Sociology, Comparative Development, Political Science, And Courses On Nation And State Formation.--jacket. 1. Introduction: The Political Economy And Culture Of The Ecuadorian Nation And The Guayaquil-quito Railway -- 2. Historical Overview Of The Ecuadorian Economy And Geography -- 3. The Railway, The Reform Of The Nation, And The Discourse Of Liberalism -- 4. Movement From The Perspective Of The Coast: Liberalism, The Railway, And The Labor Market -- 5. Movement From The Perspective Of The Highlands: The Politics Of The Internal Market -- 6. The Contradictions Of Redemption: The Uneven Development Of Alausí -- 7. Beyond The Reach Of Liberal Discourse -- 8. Social Space And The Railway, The Nation, And The Liberal State. A. Kim Clark. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 219-234) And Index. "Professor Kim Clark explores a time period and country for which little has been published in English. By studying the dimensions of politics and culture as one, Professor Clark argues that the local railroad case served as a demonstration of some of the problems that were most important during the liberal period.". "At the turn of the century, diverse political, economic, and social conditions divided Ecuador. During the construction of the Guayaquil and Quito Railway, the people of Ecuador faced the challenge of working together. The Redemptive Work examines and ties together various local, regional, and national perspectives on the building of the railway and the role its construction played in national incorporation.". "This unusual book is useful for undergraduate and graduate students interested in expanding their knowledge in the fields of Latin American history, social history, anthropology, historical sociology, comparative development, political science, and courses on nation and state formation."--BOOK JACKET.