Indigenous Autonomy and State Development Tensions - Research Paper Example

Introduction The ability to understand tensions between different social groups is dependent on the dynamics that are taking place culturally, politically and economically. When examining the different associations in Latin America, it is noted that there is a specific amount of tension between the indigenous autonomy and state development. The concept is one which is developed based on the beliefs and systems which are established in each region. The question which arises is how corporate social responsibility can begin to change and ease the tensions between the state and indigenous populations that are in Latin America. Examining the different effects which this has as well as how it can be altered to begin to incorporate different concepts within both areas then provides alternatives to ensure that there is more unity between the two populations while creating a stronger balance with both the indigenous and state populations. Problem Formulation The difficulties which are occurring in Latin America between the state and indigenous populations are based specifically on the agenda of both and the identity which both holds. The indigenous populations have specific issues with the development of the country into modern terms. This is taking away the identity, cultural affiliations and basic rights of the indigenous population and the beliefs which they hold. At the same time, the state is being pressured to continue to develop and open the country for different activities that can stimulate the economy, communities and other objectives that are within politics. The pressures which are arising have come from the belief that the indigenous populations are becoming oppressed with the actions of the state while losing both identity and culture in Latin America. This is being developed specifically by the political movements, social conflicts and the pressures to establish new components within the country (Sieder, 29). The problem which is a part of the indigenous and state cultures of Latin America needs to find new solutions for both development and preservation of the cultures which are associated in given regions. The question of whether corporate social responsibility is one which can be used to alter the tensions in the region then become associated with the culture and affiliations with Latin America. The ideology of corporate social responsibility is one which requires businesses recognizing the indigenous cultures and needs within the general population. The actions which take place are then developed to help those which are in the culture and which build and develop what is required within the population. The question which arises is whether corporate social culture can help to ease the tensions with the identity of both sides while developing a balance with the cultural practices, political tactics and involvement which is currently a part of the state (Warren, 15). This research paper will examine how much responsibility corporations can have in Latin America for the tensions between the indigenous and state populations. The objectives of this paper include: Examination of the current tensions between indigenous and state populations Current amount of corporate social responsibility in Latin America Actions which can be taken by corporations to ease tensions Question of whether this is effective in changing the tensions in each region The ideology will be to look at different levels of involvement which can take place within Latin America between the indigenous and state populations, specifically with corporations taking responsibility to ensure that the tensions are not as strong and which allow for the changes to be made within each of the regions. Literature Review The debate with indigenous cultures and the state began to form when divisions of identity began to occur. The indigenous populations are noticed as belonging to the land with a longer history in the area. However, colonialism and the discovery of areas such as Bolivia began to alter this. As the indigenous populations were conquered, they moved into a state of oppression and were pushed off different areas of the land. The indigenous populations slowly began to change with the ethnicities that were available in the region while many began to be separated from the state and development of political and state powers which were being developed by colonial powers. This shift in the land led to different identities which were considered indigenous and others which retained rights as belonging to the powers that were running the state in the land. The identities not only became oppressed in the land but also were related to the state not recognizing the identities and building over – simplification in recognizing who the original populations were in the different regions. This combined with the constitutional powers that were in the region and political agendas, all which led to a loss of rights by the indigenous population. These tensions continue in different regions today, specifically with oppressed identities and state objectives continuing to conflict in various areas (Crabtree, Whitehead, 51). There are a variety of examples which show the tensions between the indigenous and state identities and how this has altered, specifically in recent years. Many of the indigenous are beginning to have a stronger voice in what their identity is in the land, specifically with demanding the same rights in the land. The identity of El Alto, for instance, is now being pressured by the indigenous to become a recognized city that moves back to the indigenous identity. The groups in the area have reached levels of radicalism including riots against taxes and pressures for the government to renegotiate decisions with the budget and other concepts which are associated with this. The conflicts are inclusive of water rights, land rights, recognizing identity and allowing the indigenous to have the same rights as others in the community. Instead of oppressing the identities and complexities in the environment, the indigenous are pressuring to be included in the development of the city while allowing the culture which originally was in the land to have the same rights. The pressure is moving the state into the requirement to have structural adjustment that is a part of the struggles and which is creating a different approach to the associations and development from both the state and indigenous groups (Lazar, 22). The different approaches which are being used in places such as El Alto, Bolivia, have combined with representations of the cultures and changes which are in demand for a balance between the state and indigenous populations. The question which is now becoming a part of each of the areas is to develop an understanding of how to have the contemporary movement from the state and the associations with political possibilities that are now available. For the indigenous, this moves into the past relationships that have led to oppression and a loss of the rights and land of those who were originally on the land. The concept of development then becomes a threat for the indigenous, specifically because it creates conflict of interest between the two groups. The radical movements which are being associated with the indigenous and the political agenda which is being carried through are then equated to discrimination of the social expectations and problems with each of the groups in developing a community which is able to accept the identities associated with both the indigenous and contemporary movements in the region (Lucero, 2). The pressures which have been developed with the state moving toward contemporary solutions for development and the responses from the indigenous are furthered with the concept of rights of territory that are now being looked into. The statements by the indigenous are leading to tensions specifically because of the lack of recognition with the identity and diversity that is in various areas of Latin America. Instead, there is an approach which is based on the identity politics that are formed. This is occurring with the expression, mobilization and approaches from the political units which have been formed. The concept of identity politics becomes essential in the debates between the indigenous and state politics. This is based on the question of ownership, which groups are associated with the land and the structures which are created in terms of public identity. The rights and modes of the institution are then becoming based on the identity which one holds, which either takes or offers more rights over the land and the cultures which are in the given region. The question of development and the state concepts of contemporary development then links to the political identity that come from political identities that are a part of the structure with both local identities and national political structures (Yashar, 71). The development of identity is one which becomes into question because of the political and social separation that is associated with the functioning of those in the community. The concept of multicultural citizenship is the main agenda which is being questioned. This states that multiculturalism should be developed within the country, specifically which offers the same respect and consideration to each individual which is within the society. This is combined with creating an understanding of the identities, needs which are within the community and how this can create a sense of unity between the state agenda and the identity of the indigenous. The ideology of collective rights between each of the groups is one which begins with the recognition of cultural differences while stopping the discrimination which is leading to complexities among each of those within the society. This is combined with the need to have collective rights that no longer lead to negative consequences between the indigenous and state objectives. Creating a sense of equality within the indigenous populations and linking this to the development of the state is the main objective and clash which is a part of the identity and what is occurring among those who are looking at the political and cultural agendas within Latin America (Hooker, 285). The question of having collective rights and the tensions which are a part of Latin America continue with the recognition of state failure which continues to be forming within the region. This is occurring with multicultural groups which are opposing the development and movement forward with the country and regions. The main opposition is based on taking away the rights and identity of the groups which are a part of the various regions. This has led to not only basic tensions between the indigenous and state groups. This has also created post – authoritarian violence that is occurring from radical movements and associations with the changes which are being made. The violence is occurring as the indigenous feel more oppression which is occurring among the state. This is combined with the lack of traditional order that is being established and which is opposing more threats to those which are within the region. It is noted that a variety of social actors, all which carry a different set of oppositions from the state, are continuing to place the same demands and violent reactions against the state and government developments. This is being done to challenge the powers of authority and to stop any more oppression or lack of rights which has occurred from the decisions made by the state which have worked against the indigenous (Koonings, Krujit, 81). In each of these works, it is noted that the question of identity among the indigenous and state authorities are the main concern. This is noted with specific regions, such as Bolivia, which are showing specific opposition in terms of multiculturalism and the lack of rights. The literature review suggests that the opposition is based first on the historical records that have created oppression among the indigenous. Each of the pieces of literature also acknowledged that there was a question of identity which was occurring in Latin America and which was causing the main tension among the indigenous and state policies. This was not only in terms of the indigenous, as one literature piece showed that this linked directly to other multicultural aspects which were not recognized in various areas of Latin America. The ideas of overcoming oppression of identity from the state, developing the needs of Latin America and changing the rights were also noted among the pieces of literature. Two created this direct link to the challenges occurring not only in a demand for rights but also violent opposition which was continuing in Latin America. Each of the pieces of literature shows that there is a significant problem which is linked to the historical and cultural identity of Latin America, specifically among the indigenous and state identity. Data Evaluation Finding new methodologies to release tension of the indigenous and state are the main objective to change the outcome of Latin America. Using specific approaches is one which needs to begin to extend beyond the political and indigenous identities to create an alternative perspective which is inclusive of multiculturalism. The history of Latin America and the different approaches which have been taken show that there is the need to create a different sense of well – being and vitality among all cultures in the region. According to a current study, there is the ability to build a cross – cultural perspective which is able to honor the indigenous and the state, specifically with the use of corporate social responsibility. Creating a market for the indigenous and the state is one which is able to create a different approach to those in Latin America. More important, the establishment of the market requires that the corporations are aware of the well – being and specialized needs across different cultures. The approach which is taken then is able to build a benefit to both the state and indigenous identities that are associated with the region (Lu, 217). The approach to corporate social responsibility is one which continues with the ability to connect to the current systems and evolution which is in Latin America. Currently, there are areas which are linking the debates between the indigenous and the state to a socioeconomic crisis. The inability to meet and change the specific demands and the friction which has been established is creating a different set of difficulties in the public service sector. However, the economic crisis is one which also leads to new possibilities, specifically among corporations. Different corporate entities have the capacity of moving into different regions to assist with the economic situation which is continuously required for the development of various areas. The responsibility of the corporations can combine with this to lower the social crisis, specifically in recognizing the diversity of the area and establishing programs that can benefit the needs of the indigenous. This will assist with the multicultural needs while taking the regions of Latin America outside of the crisis (Ryder, Brown, 511). The approach of using corporate social responsibility is not only able to assist with the crisis by offering different perspectives to the region. There is also an inclusion of changing the amount of violence which is currently prevailing in various states. A problem which is currently in conflict is based on the political and social areas meeting with conflict zones that are not able to establish a sense of peace or new agreements between the identities of the region. The concept is one which is leading to the belief of human rights abuses, specifically with the way in which many of the establishments are treating indigenous groups and multicultural identities in the region. Specific problems that are noted to be in conflict are inclusive of multinational oil companies and other corrupt types of economic structures which are being used by the state. If these alter to include corporate social responsibility, then it will directly change the conflict zones among those with different identities, specifically by considering the human rights and needs of each group. By changing the policies and expectations of corporations, there is the ability to develop and change the political and social ideologies and conflict while creating specific standards that meet the needs of each group (Esan, 23). Analysis and Interpretation The different approaches to Latin America among the indigenous and state have created years of conflict that now have led into a socioeconomic crisis and violence. To change this, alternative perspectives are needed. The transformation of society in this region is one which is dependent first on recognition of the multicultural groups and the beliefs and practices which they hold. This is furthered by recognizing equal human rights among groups, first by the state and the policies which are created. This approach can then begin to change the standards that are within the region while lowering the crisis that is in the region. To do this, alternative entities are required to take the initiatives to build responsibility and to recognize the conflict zones and violence in the region. Corporate social responsibility is a way to begin changing the conflicts in the region. This can be done by creating a non – threatening, outside entity that establishes and acknowledges the indigenous identity. Furthering this with policies and standards for human rights will further acknowledge the needs of those who are from a multicultural background in the region. The corporate social responsibility can work as a mediator between the state and indigenous identity to establish an end to the crisis which is associated with the current needs of Latin America while beginning to alter the dynamics of conflict zones in the region. Conclusion Finding different answers to end conflicts within Latin America are required to continue with the progression of society. The current amount of violence and the conflicts are based on the lack of acknowledgement of multiculturalism and the historical trends which have oppressed indigenous cultures. However, the dynamics of the state request advancement and contemporary approaches to establishing society. To alter this, there is the need for development and identities to work together to stop the conflicts and tensions. Using corporate social responsibility and defining standards as a medium can help to establish an alternative perspective to the conflicts while ensuring that the indigenous and state needs are both met. References Crabtree, John, Laurence Whitehead. Unresolved Tensions: Bolivia Past and Present. Pittsburgh Press: Pittsburgh, 2008. Esan, Adenike. “Preventing Violent Conflicts Caused by Infringement of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: The Case of Ecuadorian Amazon.” Journal of Energy and National Resources (23), 2005. Hooker, Juliet. “Indigenous Inclusion / Black Exclusion: Race, Ethnicity, and Multicultural Citizenship in Latin America.” Journal of Latin American Studies (37), 2005. Kroonings, Kees, Dirk Krujit. Armed Actors: Organized Violence and Failure in Latin America. Zed Books: New York, 2004. Lazar, Sian. El Alto, Rebel City: Self and Citizenship in Andean Bolivia. Duke University Press: New York, 2008. Lu, F. “Integration Into the Market Among Indigenous Peoples: A Cross – Cultural Perspective from the Ecuadorian Amazon.” Current Anthropology 17 (2), 2007. Lucero, Jose. Struggles of Voice: The Politics of Indigenous Representation in the Andes. University of Pittsburgh Press: Pittsburgh, 2008. Ryder, Roy, Lawrence Brown. “Urban System Evolution on the Frontier of the Ecuadorian Amazon.” Geographical Review 90 (4), 2000. Sieder, Rachel. Multiculturalism in Latin America: Indigenous Rights, Diversity, and Democracy. Palgrave Macmillan: New York, 2002. Warren, KB. Indigenous Movements, Self Representation, and the State in Latin America. Routledge: New York, 2002. Yashar, Deborah. Contesting Citizenship in Latin America: The Rise of Indigenous Movements and the Postliberal Challenge. Cambridge University Press: New York, 2008. Read More