Políticas indigenistas en el Cono Sur: Argentina y Chile frente a los Mapuche, siglos XIX y XX

Abstract

In this thesis I study the process through of which the Mapuche people and the NationStates of Chile and Argentina have constituted themselves, in a historical situation that emerges during the beginning of the second decade of 19th century and continues to today, generating debates and discussions. That are articullated in the form of a web of relationships encompassing of the southern cone of South America. From the theoretical critique springs the possibility of deessentializing the categories that people employ to observe and to establish relationships with the Indian world, a task in which anthropology has a substantial contribution to make, especially in showing the myriad of problems that arise from the application of indigenist policies which do not pay attention to the differences between Indians as category and as specific people. It is important to debate the diversity of factors that influence - or even determine - the relationship between the National Society, regional peoples and indigenous peoples. Mapuche historical struggles have articulated several fronts of social and cultural resistance, one of which is in the official sphere were they fight against indigenist policies, seek participation of their representatives, and lobby for a legislation that allows fer the exercise of their rights as a people and the improvement of their life conditions as a means of changing the dynamic of existing relationships.