Assessing the Impacts of Liberation Theology in Latin America

Abstract

This article examines the nature and impact of liberation theology in Latin America and considers prospects for the future. Liberation theology's fundamental ideas are explored, and the reasons for its emergence and appeal are considered in detail. As a system of ideas, liberation theology first appears during a period of great social change, ecclesiological debate, and political upheaval. The convergence of these elements helps explain the theology's appeal within the churches, makes sense of its characteristically activist identification with the poor, and helps account for the popular appeal of the new organizational structures it has inspired. These convergences also suggest possible constraints and the long-term political impact of this theology. Throughout the article I argue that analysis of impacts must go beyond the ideas of liberation theology to ask how and why such ideas are received and acted upon in concrete settings.

Religious Institutions and Collective Action: The Catholic Church and Political Activism in Indigenous Chiapas and Yucatán

“…Previous scholarship has conceptualized decentralized religious institutions as settings where religious governance is entrusted to laity in a bottom-up and nearly autonomous matter or where ecclesial and doctrinal control has been radically devolved from the hierarchy to the laity. The focus of decentralization here seems to be on doctrinal and ecclesial decision-making (Trejo 2009, 327; Levine 1988, 257). However, effective governance requires more than decision-making.…”

“…Initially, these cooperatives were small and local in character (Levine 1988, 253). However, they expanded and eventually encompassed many communities, increasing the level of reciprocal interactions across small villages and towns (Interview 17, 2012; Interview 43, 2012).…”

Walking the Tightrope

“…Some of these grassroots organizations were influenced by the Catholic Church's liberation theology, which offered critical interpretations of the complex social realities surrounding rural communities. Ideas about social justice became operationalized through the participatory action and mutual support structure of ecclesiastical base communities (Levine, 1988). The grassroots organizations that developed under strong military dictatorships, such as the Agrarian Christian Leagues in Paraguay, were accused of promoting communism and were quickly silenced and violently repressed (Lewis, 1984).…”

Liberation Theology's Critique of Capitalism: The Argument From Gustavo Gutiérrez

“…(Cardenal 1983;Boff 1987;Nolan 1984, 50-52;O'Brien 1986;Vanden 1982, 52-53;Vilas 1986, 111, 224) Notwithstanding its own label, t h e n , liberation theology is indeed a political movement; yet it has only recently gained the attention of mainstream political scientists. (Levine 1988;Roelofs 1988;Planas 1986;cf. Berryman 1987;Boff and Boff 1987) Of growing interest to many social scientists and theorists is liberation theology's social critique.…”