The Devil behind the Mirror: Globalization and Politics in the Dominican Republic

by Steven Gregory

In The Devil behind the Mirror, Steven Gregory provides a compelling and intimate account of the impact that transnational processes associated with globalization are having on the lives and livelihoods of people in the Dominican Republic. Grounded in ethnographic fieldwork conducted in the adjacent towns of Boca Chica and Andrés, Gregory's study deftly demonstrates how transnational flows of capital, culture, and people are mediated by contextually specific power relations, politics, and history. He explores such topics as the informal economy, the making of a telenova, sex tourism, and racism and discrimination against Haitians, who occupy the lowest rung on the Dominican economic ladder. Innovative and beautifully written, The Devil behind the Mirror masterfully situates the analysis of global economic change in everyday lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Anthropology, Politics

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2006

Reviews

[Amal Omer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars— learned a lot, super dense tho! i liked how it also was story telling like :-) couldn’t read in long sit downs tho— read a bunch of books at the same time and found myself coming back to it which is usually not my thing

[Christopher Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent anthropological study of the DR concentrating on 2 microcosms in the country - Boca Chica & Andres. It looks beyond the statistics of economists and the vague headlines of journalists and looks "behind the mirror" into everyday lives of Dominicans. He is very "wordy" and clearly wrote this as an academic study. In that sense it is not the best for the casual reader. But, it is a very interesting examination of what the World Bank, the WTO and other free-trade promoters often ignore in their blind adherence to "market-capitalism" and Modernization theory. It takes a look into the everyday struggles in the DR and how Dominicans are systematically marginalized and locked into their subservient position in the world market - both on an national and individual level.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content was worthwhile, but the presentation was seriously marred by unnecessary sociological verbiage. Why can't social scientists learn to write cleanly?

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense, academic read on the state of the Dominican Republic as global interests work to hollow out its economy even further. Trapped between tourism and free trade zones, the communities of Andrés and Boca Chica still fight for their homes and their culture against police harassment and the decay of industry.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Gregory went deep in his study of globalization's impact on economics, citizenship, and gender in a particular region outside of Santo Domingo, DR. Gregory provides scads of compelling anecdotes and conversation transcripts which he follows up with theoretical musings on how space, time, and relations have all transformed due to linkages with global space, time, and relations. His style is a bit choppy but he comes across a very talented field researcher, an endeavor on which I desperately need to work and learn. I will certainly use this book in the future.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steven Gregory's anthological account of Dominican Republic during 1985-2001, followed by a 2005 Afterward, recounts the transnational process associated with globalization's impact on the lives and livelihoods of people in the Dominican Republic. His study was done in Boca Chica as well as a limited surrounding area. His thoroughly documented resources at times made it a difficult read.

[Meg Petersen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This contained some fascinating scenes, but the theorizing was clumsily done and he didn't tie it together at all at the end. That said, the scenes he portrayed really got me thinking and seeing things in a new way.

[Sacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I was reading this for school, had problems remembering much about it. It's not a bad book, I remember the stories about the people better than anything else. Interesting look at a society...as affected by globalization.

[Amanda]

Good book. Prof. Girish Daswani's class on globalization.