Attempts at Westernization in Latin America: Between Ways ofBeing and Information on Civic Morality

Abstract

The paper focuses on the positions towards and investments in Westernization in Latin America and more specifically discusses the positions and logics of action regarding the import and adaptation of cultural and institutional models from the West. This paper suggests that the effects of attempts to Westernize depend on the multidimensionality of social structures, which implies certain historical and cultural conditions. Here, it is political capitalism that is inscribed in specific social structures, and investments in Westernization affects the most explicit and codified social dimensions. The empirical focus of this paper is on the relations between bonds of reciprocity and institutional rules, as well as the attempts to adapt them to those of Western capitalism. After an initial
section about these relationships in Western capitalism some of their elements are highlighted. The main positions originating in Latin America regarding this issue are explained, which is followed by an exploration of the positions of investments in Westernization. These notions are linked to the definition of social capital based on current civic morality. Some basic indicators for this issue are also presented.