Development Policies for Books and Reading: Comparing Mexico and Argentina

Abstract

If the cognitive framework of current policies of book promotion in Mexico and Argentina has similarities in the tie that weaves reading, democracy and citizenship, promoting reading policies are very different. These differences can be understood by studying the first public measures that were implemented in the late nineteenth century in Argentina and early twentieth century in Mexico. The second part analyzes the clashes of "advocacy coalitions" of the book sector that fought to amend the legislation of their sector in Argentina and Mexico. We will see that in both cases, the opening of "policy windows" have enabled changes in the rules as long as political actors permit it.