LE3 .A278 2005

2005

Bowen, Kurt

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

Sociology

Sociology

This thesis is an overview of the emergence and evolution of the liberation theology movement in Latin America from its beginnings in the Catholic Action movement until the present day. Attention is paid to social movement theory, specifically the political process model, which has been applied to the liberation theology movement by Christian Smith. There is a substantive chapter focusing on case studies analyzed by social researchers on three Christian base communities in Northeastern Brazil and one near Rio de Janeiro. Similarities and differences between the rural and urban experiences and effectiveness of the base communities are discussed. The thesis uses secondary sources to describe and explain the origins of liberation theology, the resistance it attracted from conservatives within the Church, landowners and their agents in Brazil. A central argument is the dialectic of empowerment that originated among progressive European and Latin American clergy, which stimulated self organisation and action in local areas, particularly through the Christian base communities.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:443