Historical Influences in Contemporary Discourse

Abstract

This thesis is a comparative analysis and discussion on affirmative action for blacks in Ecuador and Brazil. I use history to understand the different approaches to and the different arguments for and against affirmative action in these two Latin American countries. While Ecuador and Brazil have some commonalities, being Latin American countries, current racial policies differ because of past social, political and economic differences. Differences in racial politics seen here can hopefully engender an appreciation for different racial policies seen elsewhere.