ALAS and the development of sociology in Latin America from the 1950s to the 1960s

DIEGO PEREYRA

Durban

Congreso; XVI World Congress of Sociology; 2006

International Sociological Association (ISA), Research Committee on History of Sociology

"ALAS and the development of sociology in Latin America from the 1950s to the 1960s”, XVI World Congress of Sociology, International Sociological Association (ISA), Research Committee on History of Sociology (RC08), Session Latin American Sociologies, Durban, Sudáfrica, 23-26 de Julio de 2006. The Asociación Latinoamericana de Sociología was the first sociological body in the world that was conceived on a regional basis. It was established in 1950 and played, since then, a key role in the promotion of sociological activities in Latin America and the Caribbean Area. From its creation to 1964, it organised seven regional congresses and encouraged the foundation of national professional bodies throughout the region. However, its institutional experience has been disregarded and its history is unexplored and scarcely known. Even more, the body itself seems not be interested in its own past. Most historical interpretations assert that its members had a traditional and non- scientific sociological outlook and lacked criticism on social reality during the foundational times. But, other authors suggest that it contributed to a better knowledge on social history and sociological theory in Latin America. Thus, the contribution of ALAS to the development of the sociological field in the region should be considered. Was it the result of a triumphal Latin- Americanism? Which were their activities and the level of participation of local sociologists? Was it membership a representative sample of Latin American sociologists at that time? Which were their links with other international networks in the field? Which were the topics and themes discussed at the different meetings? Hence, this paper reconstructs an institutional history of ALAS from 1950 to 1964, reviewing his activities and its role in the institutionalisation of the field in the region and trying to show, therefore, a regional history of sociology through the experience of one of its most representative bodies.