The Crisis of the Intellectual? Nation Building, Intellectuals and Political Contributions in Europe and Latin America, a Comparative View

Inter: A European Cultural Studies : Conference in Sweden 11–13 June 2007

The intersection of politics and literature has a long-standing tradition in Latin America. Intellectuals in Latin America, particularly writers, have contributed to the political arena since the time of the Foundation of the Nation. As Angel Rama suggests, the might of the pen, wielded by the Spanish speaking letrados, is a well known fact in the political life of the Spanish American nations.
   Although the role of these intellectuals as presidents, ambassadors, ministers and high profile politicians has not always been beneficial to their countries of birth, intellectuals in Latin America feel the need to actively participate in politics. In Europe and the United States, it would appear as if intellectuals feel more skeptical about their participation in public affairs, particularly when the posts imply a greater degree of public exposure. Are these differences historical, political, cultural, or is the apparent paucity of intellectuals-politicians due more to the intrinsic characteristics of the political field in Europe and the United States?
    In this essay, I will explore the political connotations of the term intellectual and contrast it with the views of intellectuals in Europe, Latin America and the United States. I will attempt to explain similarities and differences in their conception of what an intellectual is, as well as give possible explanations for these sometimes diverging perspectives.