Etnik sınıflandırma politikaları: Bolivya ve Peru'daki nüfus sayımlarının karşılaştırmalı analizi

This thesis presents the dynamics of the persistence and transformation of ethnic classifications in the census by analysing the factors that foster the inclusion of ethnic questions in the census and the political conditions necessary for change. Ethnic classifications in censuses have been rarely studied from a comparative perspective, particularly by establishing causal mechanisms and typologies. However, census classification provides an understanding of how state ideologies and beliefs of society are reflected in official enumerations. This study addresses two cases of ethnic classification which were conducted during the 21st century. I argue that the combination of three independent variables -political opportunity structure, a new discourse, and the influence of international actors and trends- determines the outcome of an ethnic classification whether it is inclusive or exclusive. In the case of Bolivia, the openness in the political opportunity system, an adaptation of a new indigenous discourse of political actors together with the supportive influence of international actors and trends resulted in inclusion of an inclusionary ethnic classification question in the census. In Peru, closure in the political system for long years and repression by the state, combined with persistence in class/peasant discourse and partial influence of international organizations resulted in exclusionary ethnic classification until 2017. For each case, a brief history of ethnic classification in the census and general information about the ethnic groups are presented, and then the factors of ethnic classification change are analysed within each case. After an extended comparative study of Bolivia and Peru, I conclude that the factors presented above are all necessary but the existence of international influence without the first two factors is not sufficient to create a change in the ethnic classification system of the country. After open political opportunity structure and inclusive indigenous discourse maintained in the country, international actors determine how to incorporate ethnic questions into the census. Key words: Ethnic classification, Latin America, Census, Indigenous, Discourse, Political Opportunity Structure