El terremoto de 1746 de Lima : El modelo colonial, el desarrollo urbano y los peligros naturales

This paper analyzes the great earthquakes of Lima of 1746, taking into account the city's development in its natural environment and its role as a colonial capital in the evolving global political economic system. The environment of coastal Peru is prone to a number of serious hazards, including earthquakes, Tsunamis, landslides and floods. The location of the city of Lima, its urban development, social structure and role in the colonial system from the 16th to the middle of the 18th-Century are analyzed from environmental, political economic and demographic perspectives. The 18th-Century was a period of crisi for Lima, which underwent changes in colonial political organization, International commerce and transport. Internal economic institutions threatened the hegemony of the city, while at the some time the nation experienced crop plagues and a decrease in silver production. At mid century, Lima was virtually destroyed by an earthquake on Octuber 28, 1746, placing the continuity of the city and its power briefly in doubt. However, its social, political and economic power prevailed; Lima was rebuitl and restored to preeminence on the eve of the 19th-Century. (AU)

Perspectivas antropológicas en la investigación de desastres

El autor nos comenta ampliamente como la investigación antropológica de los desastres intenta desarrollar un entendimiento unificado de dicho tópico en el contexto humano social y cultural. Específicamente referida a los desastres nos dice que ésta se basa en la experiencia y observación participativa profunda a largo plazo de una comunidad humana específica que tiene una cultura y forma de organización social particular. Este enfoque en las comunidades también incluye una consideración tanto del proceso político y externo como de las fuerzas del mercado, así como un interés en la interacción entre el entorno y el sistema humano (AU)