These three volumes reflect much in common. They are part of the sociological series of the Biblioteca Pioneira de Ciências Sociais; they emanate from scholarship in association with the University of São Paulo; and they focus on aspects of underdevelopment by combining critical perspectives of sociological theory with analysis of empirical research data. Paoli’s contribution, once a master’s thesis at the university, is a serious contribution to understandings of “marginal” labor. Pereira’s 1971 collection comprises ten essays originally published in journals and other sources, while his 1971 work has brought together four papers presented before academic meetings. Briefly we summarize each of these volumes, then offer a general assessment of their usefulness to Brazilian studies.
Paoli’s study on development and marginality comprises the results of a research project in the Baixada Santista, an area of ten municipalities including the city of Santos as a nucleus. This regional study of marginal labor critically examines theories of marginality which is viewed as a consequence of the limitations of dependent capitalism. Influenced by the formulations of Luiz Pereira and Marialice Foracchi, Paoli applies her own conceptualization of marginality to her research which is reported in three lengthy chapters. The first deals with the labor market and the formation of marginal workers; it includes background and history of the area under study as well as a description of population characteristics, including income, occupation, and social conditions. The second looks at labor and marginality with attention to fundamental social relations, tensions and conflict, and migration. The third concerns symbolic integration through religion and mass communication and explores the theme of culture and domination.
Pereira’s 1971 volume is perhaps most useful. Its ten essays deal with the following themes: capitalism in the center and periphery; autonomous and associated capitalism as two forms in contemporary Brazil; the relevance of Juan Bosch’s term, Pentagonism, to the current Brazilian situation; regional systems of social classes; workers in industrial enterprise; women and work; marginal populations; deficiencies of elementary education; Brazilian pedagogy; and the evolution of sociology in Brazil with attention to the contributions of Florestan Fernandes. These themes are repeated in the 1975 volume: a typology of capitalism is elaborated in a chapter on history and planning in which the concepts and theories of Durkheim, Weber, and Marx are compared; characteristics of underdevelopment are identified in relation to the theory of Frank and others; urbanization patterns are examined in the light of social tensions; and Brazilian development and underdevelopment are traced since 1930.
The student of Brazil should profit by reading these works. They enhance knowledge and understanding of Brazil. They contend with prevailing theories of underdevelopment by directly analyzing real situations. They also set forth in imaginative and provocative ways some old and some new directions for future study.
