1. Summary
The workshop seeks to foster exchange on current developments in financialization studies in Latin America, while promoting the consolidation of a regional network of scholars and experts in the field. We approach financialization studies as an inherently interdisciplinary domain. Accordingly, our call welcomes—but is not limited to—research on the financialization of socio-economic policies, welfare provision, household economies, environmental governance, social movements, and initiatives to de-financialize public policies and common goods. We particularly encourage theoretical and empirical contributions from across the social sciences, with special attention to comparative and regionally focused perspectives. The event will be held in Santiago, Chile, on December 11–12, at Universidad Central de Chile, in partnership with the Economy and Society Research Center (ESOC).
2. Call for papers
Over the past decade, the financialization of Latin America has emerged as a critical area of research for social science, challenging earlier assumptions of the region as “low-financialized” case. The scope of financialization studies in Latin America extends beyond macroeconomic trends, including social and environmental policies as distinctive issues in the region. In this context, financialization is not simply an economic shift but a multifaceted phenomenon that permeates diverse aspects of society. Local researchers have documented how finance has reshaped accumulation patterns, banking systems, social policy, environmental governance, and household dynamics. These dynamics have not gone unchallenged, as social movements across the region resist the encroachment of finance into social life.
On the one hand, a significant body of research
1. Summary
The workshop seeks to foster exchange on current developments in financialization studies in Latin America, while promoting the consolidation of a regional network of scholars and experts in the field. We approach financialization studies as an inherently interdisciplinary domain. Accordingly, our call welcomes—but is not limited to—research on the financialization of socio-economic policies, welfare provision, household economies, environmental governance, social movements, and initiatives to de-financialize public policies and common goods. We particularly encourage theoretical and empirical contributions from across the social sciences, with special attention to comparative and regionally focused perspectives. The event will be held in Santiago, Chile, on December 11–12, at Universidad Central de Chile, in partnership with the Economy and Society Research Center (ESOC).
2. Call for papers
Over the past decade, the financialization of Latin America has emerged as a critical area of research for social science, challenging earlier assumptions of the region as “low-financialized” case. The scope of financialization studies in Latin America extends beyond macroeconomic trends, including social and environmental policies as distinctive issues in the region. In this context, financialization is not simply an economic shift but a multifaceted phenomenon that permeates diverse aspects of society. Local researchers have documented how finance has reshaped accumulation patterns, banking systems, social policy, environmental governance, and household dynamics. These dynamics have not gone unchallenged, as social movements across the region resist the encroachment of finance into social life.
On the one hand, a significant body of research has explored how financialization impacts economic performance, driving trends such as deindustrialization and stagnation (Paulani, 2010; Bruno et al., 2011). This process encourages non-financial companies to prioritize financial revenue generation through investments in financial markets, often at the expense of traditional operational investments (Mantoan et al., 2021), a tendency commonly referred to as the financialization of non-financial companies. Furthermore, financialization is often followed by shifts in fiscal and monetary policies, shaping broader economic patterns (Bruno & Caffé, 2015, Abeles, Pérez Caldentey & Valdecantos, 2018; Bresser-Pereira et al., 2020; Mader, 2023, Lavinas et al., 2024). All these dynamics are intricately shaped by internal and external factors, as has also been underscored by the literature addressing subordinate financialization (Bonizzi, Kaltenbrunner & Powell 2020; Painceira, 2022).
On the other hand, a growing body of research has examined the financialization of welfare states in Latin America, particularly for countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. The research has shown the different waves of reform and counter-reform that have shaped the trajectory of welfare systems in the region over the past four decades. Evidence suggests the emergence of new welfare infrastructures based on novel linkages between public policies, financial markets, and households (González, 2018; Lavinas, 2020; Wilkis, 2021). Research shows that credit markets have become key avenues for accessing welfare in the region. Financial players have thus acquired a prominent role in the provision of social services, especially for education, health, housing, and anti-poverty programs (RÃos Jara, 2023; Aalbers & Fernández, 2019; BahÃa & Scheffer, 2022; Cordilha, 2022; Reyes & Basile, 2022; Socoloff, 2019; Morvant-Roux & Carmona, 2020; Lavinas, 2013). Consequently, household debt has surged across the region (Lavinas et al., 2024).
Recently, research has shown the involvement of Latin American governments in the financial inclusion of the working poor (Ramos et al., 2023; Nougués, 2022; Marambio-Tapia, 2021; Müller, 2015). Over the past decade, Latin American administrations have increasingly aligned themselves with the financial inclusion agenda actively promoted by international organizations, development agendas, transnational NGOs, banks, and corporations (Cotler, 2017). These strategies combine policies aimed at enhancing access to credit, promoting financial literacy, and providing state loans to address a wide range of welfare demands, such as education, entrepreneurship, essential consumption, and housing improvement (Nougués, 2023; Carroza-Athens, 2022; Bressan, 2020; Trejo Giménez, 2020; Cariceo, 2012).
The financialization of natural resources in Latin America has also become an area of significant scholarly interest, revealing complex interactions between financial markets and environmental governance (López et. al, 2022). Research indicates that this process involves transforming natural resources into financial assets, leading to increased speculation and investment in natural resource exploitation. Particularly, scholars have highlighted the role of financial institutions in promoting extractive industries, exacerbating environmental degradation and social conflicts (Svampa, 2019, Ertürk, 2023, Marroig Barreto, 2024). In addition, growing research has been done on the assetization of nature, and the role of financial capital in the exploitation of vital natural resources, such as water, land, and energy (Oliveira, 2022)
Latin American research on financialization has also highlighted the rise of social movements and growing opposition to its consequences. This body of work shows how various social movements have systematically resisted financialization-driven reforms targeting social rights, environmental policies, and public goods such as water and land. In response, social opposition has led to numerous attempts to “de-financialize” these sectors or regulate the extent to which finance infiltrates society. The rise and fall of progressive governments in the 2000s and 2010s, as well as the current resurgence of left-leaning governments, have resulted in a range of frustrated and incomplete efforts to reverse the financialization of social rights. These efforts often contend with the temptation to deepen financial dynamics further by adopting expedient financial solutions to address popular demands. This tension underscores the challenges of balancing the push for financial deregulation with the desire for more equitable governance.
Understanding the dynamics of financialization in Latin America is not only key to analyzing the region’s past and present but also critical for envisioning alternative futures. The ongoing transformations demand an interdisciplinary approach that considers the interplay of finance, policy, and resistance. Against this backdrop, this workshop seeks to foster dialogue among scholars and practitioners, encouraging a deeper, region-specific understanding of financialization’s complexities and consequences in Latin America.
3. Topics of Interest
We invite scholars to apply for the call of papers on topics related to financialization studies, which include but are not limited to:
- Financialization of the State and public policies in general.
- Financialization of social policy and welfare: conditional cash transfers, education, health, labor, housing, pensions.
- Financialization, economic policy and the role of central banking.
- Finances and households economy.
- Digital finance and financial inclusion.
- Financialization of nature, green transition and extractivism.
- Movements against financialization.
- Policy alternatives and definancialization processes.
- Theory of financialization from a Latin American perspective
- Comparative case studies on financialization with focus on Latin America.
4. Event format
The event consists of a two-day workshop with three types of activities. First, four panels of paper presentations. In each panel, three students and early career researchers will present their papers/thesis chapters and receive feedback from commentators and peers. Presenters will have 15 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of commentator feedback, and 15 minutes of Q&A. Second, keynote speeches with senior scholars. Finally, a training session to promote and advance the study of financialization in the region.
5. Target audience
The target audience consists of young scholars (Graduate and MA students, PhD candidates, Postdocs) and early career researchers (3 years since Ph.D.) working on topics related to financialization studies in Latin America.
6. Funding
Limited financial support (USD 200) to help offset travel expenses will be available for selected young scholars who are based in Latin America. To be eligible for partial travel stipends, scholars must be YSI members (membership is free via the YSI website).
7. Young scholars’ selection
Extended abstracts (500–1,000 words, in English) must be submitted by October 19. The scientific committee will evaluate them based on academic merit, relevance to the workshop, and diversity of topics and participants. Accepted authors must submit a full paper in English by November 21 to facilitate commentary and international exchange.
8. Contact
For any questions, feel free to reach us at ysi.financeworkshop@gmail.com
