Conservative thought in twentieth century Latin America : the ideas of Laureano Gómez / by James D. Henderson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Henderson, James D., 1942-

Series:

Monographs in international studies. Latin America series ; no. 13.

Monographs in international studies. Latin America series ; no. 13

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gómez, Laureano, 1889-1965--Political and social views.

Gómez, Laureano.

Gómez, Laureano, 1889-1965.

Conservatism--Latin America--History--20th century.

Conservatism.

Liberalism--Latin America--History--20th century.

Liberalism.

History.

Political and social views.

Latin America--History--20th century.

Latin America.

Colombia--Politics and government--20th century.

Colombia.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xi, 217 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Athens, Ohio : Ohio University Center for International Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, 1988.

Summary:

Laureano Gomez was president of Columbia in the early 1950s until overthrown by a military coup. He was also, for some fifty years, the leading exponent of Latin American conservatism, a political philosophy with roots in both nineteenth-century politics and religion. Focusing on Gomez, and other prominent conservative politicians, Henderson traces the evolution of Latin American conservatism and demonstrates the scope of its influence throughout the continent.

While much has been written about particular Marxist movements and right wing regimes in contemporary Latin America, little attention has been devoted, in recent years, to the more moderate political institutions and individuals which dominate twentieth-century Latin America. This first account of Latin American conservatism should be of interest to all students of the history and politics of the region.

Contents:

I. The Nineteenth Century Background of Latin American Conservatism 5

Origins of Political Conservatism in Latin America 5

Nineteenth Century Colombian Conservatism: "Historicals" and "Nationalists" 8

The Turn-of-the-Century Division in Conservative Ranks 11

II. Laureano Gomez of Colombia 17

Man of Polemic and Paradox 17

Gomez of Colombia and the Conservative Assault on Liberalism 21

His Philosophy Summarized 24

III. Roman Catholic Underpinnings of Gomez's Thought 29

The Early Years, His Jesuit Mentors 29

Roman Catholic Sources of Gomez's Ideas 35

IV. Liberal and Positivist Elements 55

Liberalism in the Thought of Laureano Gomez 53

The Positivist Gomez 63

V. Romantic and Nationalist Elements 69

The Romantic Gomez 69

The Nationalist Gomez 77

VI. The Attack on Liberalism 81

Gomez versus the Colombian Liberal Party, 1932-1946 81

A Conservative Ideologist Interprets History 88

VII. Between World Wars: Latin American Conservatism Embattled 105

Dilemmas of the Non-Fascist Right 105

Growing Division in Conservative Ranks: The Chilean Case 107

Gomez Answers the Fascist Challenge 110

Gomez versus Philosophic Liberalism 114

The "Enemy Within": Masons, Jews, Communists 118

VIII. "Liberal/Progressive" and "Traditionalist" Conservatives: Conflict at Mid-Century 125

The Split in Latin American Conservatism Viewed Empirically 125

"Traditional" Conservatism Ascendant in Colombia 131

Metaphysical Imaginings and Visions of Harmony: The Abortive Constitutional Reform of 1953 136

IX. The Last Years of Laureano Gomez 151

Antideterminism and Its Consequences 151

Gomez, His Ideas, and His Uncertain Place in Colombian History 157

X. Latin American Conservatism Since the 1960s 163

From the 1960s to the Present 163.

Notes:

Includes index.

Bibliography: pages 197-206.

ISBN:

0896801489

OCLC:

17299063