Does Mexico have anything analogous to Brazil’s “pigmentocracy,” then? Because it seems in that case social stratification is not just the product of the Great Gatsby Curve, but also the fetishisation of Northern European features (blonde hair, blue eyes). I think there is some genuine social mobility with this - one marrying outside their class because of a desirable/exotic phenotype.
Also, BAP discussed, in his recent Caribbean Rhythms episode, the rise of a new type of incel in Brazil: men who exist in a kind of sexual limbo as a result of their mixed heritage. This is more or less an inversion of the Anglo-sphere trend of foregrounding black/indigenous heritage. I wonder if there was ever a moment in Mexico where people attempted to LARP as egalitarians and deliberately marry outside their caste?
Lack of clean drinking water is a poor reflection on state capacity, or at least priorities. I lived in Beijing for several years. All the foreign observers gushing over China's fast trains seem unaware that you can't safely drink from a tap even in its largest and richest cities.
Also that kosher detail is priceless. In the absence of actual religious observance, what's the inference? Jews know good meat?
It’s so interesting the way these memes play out in different cultural contexts. I mentioned this to a Brazilian friend yesterday and he said kosher meat has the same currency in Brazil. He thought it had more to do with consumer trust in kosher’s stricter processing. Makes sense given haphazard standards in food production in developing world. But easy to see how that spills over into elite signaling.
Wonderful post!
I learned so much!
Re: Lebanese businessmen in South America, Africa: 'World on Fire', Amy Chua [she's the Yale Law professor who mentored J.D. Vance}
Oops, I forgot Carlos Slim!
The Kosher label for beef in Mexico restaurants is akin to the Kobe label for beef in American restaurants. So odd!
Am in Mexico now too, will write my thoughts up in the coming days once back. Happy new year!
Nice, where are you? If CDMX let’s catch up today (my last day)
Fun article!
Does Mexico have anything analogous to Brazil’s “pigmentocracy,” then? Because it seems in that case social stratification is not just the product of the Great Gatsby Curve, but also the fetishisation of Northern European features (blonde hair, blue eyes). I think there is some genuine social mobility with this - one marrying outside their class because of a desirable/exotic phenotype.
Also, BAP discussed, in his recent Caribbean Rhythms episode, the rise of a new type of incel in Brazil: men who exist in a kind of sexual limbo as a result of their mixed heritage. This is more or less an inversion of the Anglo-sphere trend of foregrounding black/indigenous heritage. I wonder if there was ever a moment in Mexico where people attempted to LARP as egalitarians and deliberately marry outside their caste?
Yes most of LatAm is split into deep ethno-classes
"Does Mexico have anything analogous to Brazil’s “pigmentocracy,” then?"
I am hardly a Mexico expert, but the answer throughout Latin America is "yes".
Yes
Also, how does one manage to be an incel in Brasil?!?
Lack of clean drinking water is a poor reflection on state capacity, or at least priorities. I lived in Beijing for several years. All the foreign observers gushing over China's fast trains seem unaware that you can't safely drink from a tap even in its largest and richest cities.
Also that kosher detail is priceless. In the absence of actual religious observance, what's the inference? Jews know good meat?
“Jews are rich and elite” > “Jewish food must be rich and elite”
It’s so interesting the way these memes play out in different cultural contexts. I mentioned this to a Brazilian friend yesterday and he said kosher meat has the same currency in Brazil. He thought it had more to do with consumer trust in kosher’s stricter processing. Makes sense given haphazard standards in food production in developing world. But easy to see how that spills over into elite signaling.
Ha! Amazing