{"product_id":"acts-of-growth-development-and-the-politics-of-abundance-in-peru","title":"Acts of Growth: Development and the Politics of Abundance in Peru","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Acts of Growth: Development and the Politics of Abundance in Peru, the reviewer finds a careful, on-the-ground account for readers interested in development studies, Andean social change, and political economy. Eric Hirsch frames a timely argument about what economic booms feel like for villagers near mines, tourist routes, and export agriculture, making this book valuable for scholars and students who want a textured, ethnographic perspective rather than abstract growth models. The single biggest reason to read it is its attention to how prosperity is perceived locally and how small-scale development investments attempt to remold livelihoods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnographic focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hirsch embeds his analysis in a network of villages to show how national wealth is experienced at the local level, giving readers concrete social detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolitical economy framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book situates boom-time capitalism in Peru, helping readers connect mining and export booms to everyday development practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttention to perception:\u003c\/strong\u003e By asking how growth feels, the work highlights subjective responses to prosperity that standard poverty metrics miss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDevelopment interventions examined:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small-scale investments and programs are shown in practice, revealing how they try to fashion Indigenous entrepreneurs from rural villagers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegional specificity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Focus on the southern Andes provides a grounded case study relevant to scholars of the Americas and South America.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for graduate students, researchers, and policy analysts who need an ethnographic lens on contemporary Peruvian development and the social effects of mining and export growth. It will also appeal to readers of contemporary Latin American history who want a study centered on lived experience rather than aggregate indicators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a general history of Peru, a broad economic textbook, or a handbook of policy prescriptions should look elsewhere; the book is strongest as a focused qualitative study and does not purport to offer comprehensive macroeconomic modeling or step-by-step development blueprints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich ethnographic description makes the social effects of the mining boom immediate and tangible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear argument that starts from Peru's relative wealth to rethink development debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUseful case studies of small-scale interventions that show how programs attempt to remake local livelihoods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe focused village network approach limits broad generalizability to all regions of Peru.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eActs of Growth: Development and the Politics of Abundance in Peru\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEric Hirsch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouthern Andes, Peru\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMining boom, export markets, and tourism impacts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEthnography and political economy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTopics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDevelopment investments, Indigenous entrepreneurship\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eActs of Growth is a thoughtful, well-grounded study for readers who want to understand how economic abundance can be uneven and socially transformative in rural Peru. Its ethnographic depth and political economy framing make it a strong value for students and scholars seeking qualitative insight into development practices and perceptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on specific villages?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, Hirsch situates his analysis in a network of villages near mining sites, export agriculture, and tourist areas in the southern Andes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book theoretical or field-based?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book combines political economy framing with grounded ethnographic fieldwork, privileging local perceptions of growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho benefits from the development investments described?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe text shows attempts to transform villagers into Indigenous entrepreneurs, but it emphasizes that many locals feel the benefits remain out of reach.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eric Hirsch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48657575149787,"sku":"1503630218","price":90.47,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/81lCIgS9V7L._SL1500.jpg?v=1778563837","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/acts-of-growth-development-and-the-politics-of-abundance-in-peru","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}