The concept of State in René Zavaleta and the influence of Antonio Gramsci

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the René Zavaleta Mercado’s contribution to the understanding of the State problematic in Latin America, seeking to identify the influence of Gramsci in his works. We have analyzed three articles by the author: Problems of dependent determination and primordial form; The State in Latin America; Forms of state operations in Latin America (bonapartism, populism, authoritarianism). We see the strong influence of Gramsci on the work of Zavaleta. In particular, it can be seen that both are inserted in the marxist controversy over the role of the superstructure in the maintenance or transformation of society. However, there is also a strong degree of originality in the proposal of the Bolivian sociologist when analyzing the Latin American reality. It is also worth mentioning Zavaleta's great concern to understand the different forms assumed by States in accordance with their national characteristics.