The Revolutionary Mission
American Enterprise in Latin America, 1900–1945

This is the first book to explore the impact of American corporate culture on Latin American societies in the decades before World War II.

Thomas F. O'Brien (Author)

9780521663441, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 November 1999

376 pages, 18 b/w illus. 5 maps
23 x 14.5 x 2.3 cm, 0.57 kg

'This is a superb analysis of how American corporations worked as remarkable transforming agents on their host cultures. It can be read with immense profit by historians of all stripes.' Lawrence A. Clayton, Journal of American History

During the twentieth century, American corporations have spread American material productivity and American values such as consumerism and competitiveness around the globe. People in other nations have accepted some aspects of American corporate culture while vehemently rejecting others. The Revolutionary Mission explores this complex process as it unfolded in Latin America in the decades before World War II. Professor O'Brien examines Latin American responses to that culture which conveyed the promises of material betterment and individual freedom while also emphasizing the cult of the individual, unquestioning acceptance of disparities created by unremitting competition, and values legitimized by functionality rather than historical precedent.

Part I. Merchant Republic to Corporate Empire: 1. Merchant republic to corporate empire
Part II. Marines and Cultural Revolution in Central America: 2. Liberal revolution and corporate culture
3. Nicaragua
4. Honduras
Part III. Peru: 5. The alliance for modernization
6. Resistance communities
Part IV. Chile: 7. Salitreras and socialism
Part V. Sugar and Power in Cuba: 8. Sugar and power
9. Revolution and reaction
Part VI. Patriotism and Capitalism: 10. The Americanization of the Mexican
11. Nationalism and capitalism.

Subject Areas: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], History of the Americas [HBJK]