Sociology in Mexico

This open access book presents a condensed history of Sociology in Mexico from its origins, through to the middle of the 19th century and up to the present day. The book analyses the interaction between sociology and the main economic, political and social change in the country, including the 1910 Mexican Revolution, the main social movements, the role of the intellectual exiles from Spain and Latin America, and the participation of women, who have often remained invisible in the history of sociology.  The book explores how sociological discourse played a fundamental role in the separation of secular and public education and the search for a ‘national project’ from 1868 onwards, despite the lack of an institute of social research until 1930; how sociology became an autonomous social science, led by a few intellectuals and public figures, as it became institutionalized in universities, and the effect this had on the development of the discipline; the influence of Marxism during the 1970s; and the progression from a process of specialization after the fall of the Berlin Wall to a new trend of working in collective projects with an increasing interdisciplinary perspective in the first decades of the 21^st century.

"Gina Zabludovsky has performed a great service in managing to bring the long and diverse history of Mexican sociology into the covers of this well argued and succinct book. A work of prodigious scholarship, this is also an exercise in the sociology of knowledge, documenting how social change has affected social ideas. As the world changed, in Mexico, Latin America, and Europe, so did Mexican sociology, as it made made sophisticated efforts to understand them.” (Jeffrey C. Alexander, Lillian Chavenson Saden Professor of Sociology, Yale University)





“Mexican sociology has a distinguished intellectual tradition, insufficiently known in the English language world. This book by a leading Mexican scholar, brings a documented account of this tradition, together with original insights from the author. Indispensable reading to appreciate the rich diversity of sociology in the global academic culture.” (Manuel Castells, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley)






“Offering an innovative and ambitious approach to the history of Sociology in Mexico, this volume gives the past a depth and breadth of contextual analysis not often found in a small volume. Moving across a vast and shifting landscape of entrenched tradition as it entangled with the forces of reform and change, readers will find insights into the complex relations between state and academy, politics and intellectual endeavour, and the church as it met with the plethora of social movements (including the feminist and student movements). This rich journey into history provides much thought about the evolving interconnections between the development of sociology and the material conditions of Mexican society in the many decades since the 19th century.” (Fran Collyer, School of Sociology, Australian National University and Department of Sociology and Social Policy/University of Sydney) 






“An intellectually brilliant approach and a detailed cartography of the social sciences and sociology in Mexico, from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. Besides the well -known names, Zabluldovsky highlights the contributions of women, institutions, universities and social movements that have gone unnoticed until today. A key work to understand the role of the intelligentsia and its institutions in Mexico and Latin America, in their relations with Europe and the United States.” (Maria Ángeles Durán, Consejo Superior de Investigación Científica, España) 






“The social sciences have often developed through close engagements with local issues, and with the national audiences that are most concerned with them. They are, as a result, inflected by the audiences that they aspire to address. Indeed, social science disciplines tend to develop local accents, and glossing these tendencies, and providing a critical apparatus that helps specialists interpret local innovation, is important. Sociology in Mexico is the first English-language overview of Mexico’s rich disciplinary development.” (Claudio Lomnitz, Columbia University)

Gina Zabludovky is a tenured Professor and Researcher at UNAM, Mexico. She is the author and editor of numerous books, scientific articles, and book chapters on various topics including social and political theory, the history of sociology in Mexico, business organizations and women in decision-making positions. She has received several awards in recognition of her academic achievements.