Pablo Kreimer - Science and Society in Latin America: Peripheral Modernities

In the form of a sociological pilgrimage, this book approaches some topics essential to understanding the role of science in Latin America, juxtaposing several approaches and exploring three main research lines: First, the production and use of knowledge in these countries, viewed from a historical and sociological point of view; second, the reciprocal construction of scientific and public problems, presented through significant cases such as Latin American Chagas disease; and third, the past and present asymmetries affecting the relationships between centers and peripheries in scientific research. These topics show the paradox of being modern and peripheral at the same time.

Pablo Kreimer is a principal investigator at CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina), a director of the STS Center at Maimnides University and a professor at the National University of Quilmes. He is specialized in the political and historical sociology of science.

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Science and Society in Latin America
Peripheral Modernities

Pablo Kreimer

For more information about this series, please visit: www.routledge.com/Routledge-Studies-in-the-History-of-the-Americas/book-series/RSHAM

Pablo Kreimer

First published 2019
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Kreimer, Pablo, author.

Title: Science and society in Latin America : peripheral modernities / by Pablo Kreimer.

Description: New York : Routledge, 2019. | Series: Routledge studies in the history of the Americas ; 7 | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019009258 (print) | LCCN 2019010546 (ebook) | ISBN 9780429266188 () | ISBN 9780367218034

Subjects: LCSH: ScienceSocial aspectsLatin America. | Latin America.

Classification: LCC Q175.52.L37 (ebook) | LCC Q175.52.L37 K74 2019 (print) | DDC 303.48/3098dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019009258

ISBN: 9780-367218034 (hbk)
ISBN: 9780-429266188 (ebk)

Typeset in Sabon
by Apex CoVantage, LLC

First, I want to thank numerous people with whom I discussed the various issues addressed in this book over the years. In Latin America, I benefited greatly from the many conversations with Hebe Vessuri, who always encouraged me to seguir palante, or keep on keepin on, and with friends from various countries, such as Antonio Arellano, Alexis de Greiff, Olga Restrepo, Rosalba Casas, Len Oliv, Marcos Cueto, La Velho, Leonardo Vaccarezza, Daniel Villavicencio, Mariela Bianco, Yuri Jack Gmez, and Jorge Gibert, a list that abridges the endless talks and exchangesalmost always accompanied by Chilean or Argentine wine, Mexican tequila, Brazilian cachaa, or Colombian rumI have had over the years with many other colleagues in the region.

Second, I would like to thank the co-authors of some of the texts that make up this book, particularly Juan Pablo Zabala, with whom I worked on Chagas disease for years and who has written an excellent book on its social and cognitive history. Some of the research into the origin and development of molecular biology I did in tandem with Manuel Lugones. The text on the controversies was the result of a collaboration with Luca Romero and Paula Bilder, who felt those debates were worth studying. The research on cooperation between Latin America and Europe fell into two parts: In the first, I worked with Luciano Levin on the Latin American point of view; in the second, with Adriana Feld on the European perspective. She also worked on a very complete reconstruction of European policies toward third-country cooperation. Finally, the research on Ushuaia I did with Dalma Albarracn, one of the most brilliant people I have been lucky enough to work with. Her untimely departure was very sad indeed.

My very special thanks to Leandro Rodrguez Medina, who convinced me to publish this book and put me in touch with the editor from Taylor & Francis.

I owe an intellectual debt to various colleagues and friends from other regions around the world. To Terry Shinn and Roland Waast, I am bound by a relationship of many years standing, ever since they were assessors on my doctoral dissertation; they have, over the years, become very dear friends. With my friends Luis Sanz and Laura Cruz, I have shared many momentsin Madrid or Buenos Aires, as well as Copenhagen or Caracasas enjoyable as they were intellectually enriching, always accompanied by red wine. Meetings with Michel Grossetti can range from the most rigorous sociological theory to a thoroughgoing analysis of the latest football match, usually accompanied by the best cellar in Toulouse. Going to present my latest ideas in Toulouse was an often-enlightening experience. In contrast, Rigas Arvanitis and I will never stop arguing as if we were fifteen; I guess that is necessary too. Nor with the Dominiques: Dominique Vinck, a tireless thinker and hard worker, and Dominique Pestre, who has one of the finest minds to be found where these issues are concerned. In the communication of science, I have been enriched by my exchanges with Jolle Le Marec. Finally, spending an evening chatting with Antonio Lafuente about science or history or politics is a life experience not to be missed.

I had the adventure of organizing an STS congress with Wes Shrum in Buenos Aires, bringing together Yankees and Latinos, and we have met constantly since to strengthen our mutual intellectual stimulus.