social and political struggles. This volume seeks to present diverse perspectives on these issues from a variety of perspectives both theoretically and methodologically.The volume is divided into two sections each treating different topics under a common headline. In the first section the analyses have their point of departure in Development Strategies, State and Civil Society Actors. The second section deals with rights, identity formation and social movements’ struggles as responses to the consequences of neo-liberal policies.The authors contributing to this volume come from different academic backgrounds and from both Europe and Latin America. The chapters deal with examples from Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Bolivia and Uruguay.