When
Center for Latin American Studies, Spring 2025 Charlas con Café – a weekly space to hear lectures from a wide variety of experts and discuss topics relevant to the Latin American region, Fridays from 1-2 pm (unless otherwise specified).
After 30 years of neoliberal policies at both economic and social levels, new generations have emerged within this framework, cultivating a distinct subjectivity, particularly among the youth. The depth of individuals' historical and social memory often shapes their social and psycho-affective dimensions and the social cohesion of communities (Putnam, 2020; Taylor, 2018; Marglin, 2010). However, research on this topic in the context of neoliberalism in Latin America has been limited. This lecture draws on the recent history of the Dominican Republic as evidence—specifically, the policies of historical and cultural amnesia enforced by the State through actions and omissions. It highlights specific examples of contemporary cultural consumption and social behaviors to reveal the connections between the dominant culture and the evolution of contemporary subjectivity, coexistence, and social hope among the populace.
Presenter: Juan Miguel Pérez , Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
Juan Miguel Pérez was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He earned his B.A. / Master’s in Political Science from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). Additionally, he received an advanced master’s diploma (DEA) in Social Sciences from the École Normale Supérieure and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris. Juan Miguel completed his doctoral degree in Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He has served in public office as the National Director of Secondary Education and as the Research Director at the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Education. He is also an associate professor of sociology at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. His academic interests primarily center on the sociology of culture and education. He has advised national and international organizations on social issues and public policies.