Citizenship, Education, Development, and Varieties of Knowledge in South America: Republics of Knowledge. Nations of the Future in Latin America, by Nicola Miller, Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford, 2020, 320 pp., $42.00 / £32.00 (Hardback), ISBN: 9780691176758

"Republics of Knowledge: Nations of the Future in Latin America" by Nicola Miller examines the significance of knowledge in the development of Latin American republics, as well as the hierarchies of knowledge that emerge from global, national, and local connections. The book draws on examples from Argentina, Chile, and Peru, and explores themes such as the impact of knowledge hierarchies, the role of newspapers in disseminating ideas, and the challenges of creating markets for readers. Miller contends that Latin American republics have long sought to make knowledge and culture more accessible, despite the exclusion of many individuals from citizenship until the twentieth century. The book offers insights into how certain claims gain value over others and provides a history of knowledge in Latin America within a global framework. The article delves into the importance of education and literacy in the formation of new republics in Latin America. It highlights the distinction between "popular enlightenment" and "education" and how this distinction has enduring implications for political participation. The article also examines efforts to promote literacy and the role of literacy in reducing inequality and fostering democracy. It critiques the book "Republics of Knowledge" for its interpretation of the history of knowledge in Latin America and argues for a more nuanced understanding of the region's contributions to knowledge. [Extracted from the article]