Getting ahead collectively: grassroots experiences in Latin America.

Abstract

A report on a visit to six Latin American countries, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, to study some 45 'grassroots' projects covering housing improvements. literacy, education, small scale industry, and agricultural production. Looks at group solidarity and public action that began out of cooperative action, and how collective endeavors arise out of outside aggression and aggression by society. Then examines cooperatives, their benefits and costs, and the organizations which help low income people to better their conditions through self-help and articulation of their demands and grievances. Concludes that with a network of 'grassroots', projects, associations, and movements, social relations can become more caring and less private and can change the traditional character of Latin American society.-P.Creese(CDS)