Lexington Books Decolonizing Patagonia: Mapuche Peoples and State Formation in Argentina

Product Description In Decolonizing Patagonia: Mapuche Peoples and State Formation in Argentina, Lucas Savino examines Indigenous efforts for self-determination, territorial autonomy, and decolonization in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Through an analysis of the ways in which Mapuche activists organize in particular localities in the province of Neuquén, this book contributes to broader theoretical understandings of collective identity formation and Indigenous activism under multicultural neoliberal regimes of citizenship. Building on interdisciplinary contributions on state formation, citizenship, and collective identity formation, Savino demonstrates that territorial struggles and the importance of the local political level are crucial for understanding how collective identities are configured. Review Decolonizing Patagonia: Mapuche Peoples and State Formation in Argentina makes many significant contributions. Lucas Savino offers deep insights into Indigenous political organizations and activism in Argentina, connecting Mapuche activism to discourses and practices of neoliberal multiculturalism. Savino also meaningfully addresses the gap in the literature of Indigenous movements in minority contexts. Most critically, this work illuminates the constraints and possibilities of Indigenous organizations and how Mapuche politics involves processes of negotiation as well as ongoing conflicts with the state.--Natalia Castelnuovo Biraben, Universidad de Buenos Aires About the Author Lucas Savino is associate professor in the Centre for Global Studies at Huron University College.