Status

<p>With this book Bernd Reiter reflects on over three decades of research on race exclusion inequality white supremacy and the defense of privilege in Brazil to explore how social hierarchies honor and dignity perpetuate systemic disparities in Latin America. Status as a structuring force of societies Reiter argues offers a different lens through which to analyze Latin American societies.</p><p>Combining the works of Tönnies Weber and Bourdieu with those of Guerreiro Ramos Raymundo Faoro Florestan Fernandes and Jacob Gorender Reiter contends that Latin American societies are best understood as status societies where the organizing principle is not class gender or race alone but honor – a set of cultural norms behaviors and practices that confer social recognition and prestige. Status is not purely hereditary nor is it solely a function of economic class. Instead it is a multifaceted construct that incorporates elements of race class gender cultural capital behavior and descent.</p><p>A passionate and illuminating alternative to the study of inequality in Latin America this book adds important nuance to discussions of how to devise more equitable and inclusive strategies for the future.</p>