Meanings of Citizenship in Latin America

Abstract This article introduces the Latin American debate on citizenship. It first examines the general conditions of the emergence of the notion in different countries of the continent. Second, it discusses what can be seen as general features assumed by the redefinition of citizenship that underlay its emergence in Latin America, linked to the democratizing processes in the last decades. This analysis takes as its main reference the pioneering process of redefinition that occurred in Brazil, because it is considered the most elaborated one and has been, to some extent, a reference for other countries in Latin America. Third, in trying to avoid the risks of excessive generalization, the article discusses the different nuances and emphases the notion of citizenship has taken up, as they may not only provide a further understanding of the debate but also highlight the distinctions and specificities of citizenship in different countries. Finally, it focuses on the neo-liberal versions of citizenship and the dilemmas these pose to the original democratizing meanings and uses of citizenship in Latin America.