Scientific field of social studies on community development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Social studies on community development in Latin America and the Caribbean constitute a scientific field that has been little studied and limited. The Eurocentric and coloniality of knowledge paradigms have influenced scientific communication. The research investigation had the purpose of delimiting the structure of the scientific field of social studies about community development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study starts from a mixed perspective that integrates theoretical analysis with the application of empirical instruments. An intermediate position between internalism and externalism was used from the sociology of knowledge for the purpose of analysis to scientific communication. It was concluded that the analysed field is structured from few institutions, networks and specialized professional associations, showing the predominance of dominant approaches to science, being consistent with the dynamics of self-preservation.