October 21st: Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age (Ch 5)
The GDP growth chart (Figure C.1) was staggering. As a whole, Latin America's GDP grew exponentially between 1950 and 2000. One can only imagine how this dramatic change affected the social structure. The map in Figure C.6 really shows how diverse and rich the land of Latin America is, each area going through its own export growth and decline. I like how Dawson explains, "...one person's boom was always another's crisis" (141).
I found the poem by Dario very powerful because it speaks directly and approaches from the side of opposition. I liked the image of "a thousand cubs of Spanish lion," and how he addresses Roosevelt as "Hunter." It creates a very strong image, questioning Roosevelt's morality and position.
It is interesting how Ayala and Vasconcelos both respond to Mexico's situation with a list-like structure. Ayala's plan is really summed up in his some of his final words "...we are partisans of principles and not of men!" (158). He wants to end the Caudillo era, and asks people to join him with arms in order to defend Mexico's well being.
Vasconcelos takes a very interesting approach to the social stages of humanity in general, and specifically Mexico in the era of Eugenics. Step one is a time when power takes control and the focus is material, causing violence and competition. Two is a period of "faith in the formula" when people lock down on a system of laws and reason. Three is a period of beauty, joy, racial fusion, and limitless boundaries.
I thought a lot of what he had to say was very true and intriguing. The final stage, the "fantasy" seemed pretty unachievable though: when society can function on the instinct of beauty. I don't think there has ever existed a society that runs purely on love and aspiration, but I agree that it's something to work towards.
I found Vasconcelos piece to be really interesting because normally when you read about eugenics, things like racial segregation and marriage restrictions come up. It becomes a very demanding and pervasive force in society, with tons of rules and taboos that govern social life. So it was much different to read about what Vasconcelos had to say because his ideas about eugenics held the complete opposite view of what you would expect. He was very much into this idea of "limitless boundaries" which you pointed out, and the freedom that comes from letting loose from these restrictions. I kind of agree with what you say about the fantasy world proposed by Vasconcelos being unachievable to some extent. It's definitely possible for love and the instinct of beauty to function on an individual level, but to think that society as a whole will have the same aspirations toward beauty and love is just too far fetched I think. Maybe i'm not quite understanding what he really means, but it just seems too idealized. Beauty is just such a subjective thing as well, so its hard to even make an argument for this.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the fantasy stage is a fantasy. Beauty is not only subjective but completely unrelated between inner and outer. an interesting read, however.
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