Meanings of Citizenship in Latin America‪.‬

Abstract. This article introduces the Latin American debate on citizenship. It first examines the general conditions of the emergence of the notion in different countries of the continent. Second, it discusses what can be seen as general features assumed by the redefinition of citizenship that underlay its emergence in Latin America, linked to the democratizing processes in the last decades. This analysis takes as its main reference the pioneering process of redefinition that occurred in Brazil, because it is considered the most elaborated one and has been, to some extent, a reference for other countries in Latin America. Third, in trying to avoid the risks of excessive generalization, the article discusses the different nuances and emphases the notion of citizenship has taken up, as they may not only provide a further understanding of the debate but also highlight the distinctions and specificities of citizenship in different countries. Finally, it focuses on the neo-liberal versions of citizenship and the dilemmas these pose to the original democratizing meanings and uses of citizenship in Latin America. Resume. Cet article presente le debat sur la citoyennete en Amerique latine. On examine, d'abord, les conditions generales d'emergence de la notion dans divers pays du continent. Ensuite, on aborde les aspects generaux qui sous-tendent la redefinition de la citoyennete en Amerique latine dans son lien avec les processus de democratisation des dernieres decennies. Cette analyse prend comme principale reference le processus innovateur de redefinition qui a eu lieu au Bresil, car celui-ci est considere comme le plus elabore et il a servi, jusqu'a un certain point, de reference pour d'autres pays de l'Amerique latine. Puis, en tentant d'eviter le risque d'une generalisation excessive, on presente les differentes nuances et emphases que la notion de citoyennete a acquises, en ce qu'elles peuvent non seulement apporter une meilleure comprehension du debat, mais aussi souligner les distinctions et les specificites de la citoyennete dans divers pays. Enfin, on examine les versions neoliberales de la citoyennete et les dilemmes poses par les significations et les usages originaux en Amerique latine.