Education, Conservatism, and the Rise of a Pedagogical Elite in Colombian Panama

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Introduction

   • Rolando de la Guardia Wald

   Pages 1-39

3. La Regeneración and Paz Científica in Colombian Panama, 1878–1903

   • Rolando de la Guardia Wald

   Pages 41-89

4. La Regeneración and the Rise of the Pedagogical Elite in Panama, 1878–1903

   • Rolando de la Guardia Wald

   Pages 91-137

5. Conclusion

   • Rolando de la Guardia Wald

   Pages 139-145

6. Back Matter

   Pages 147-179

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This book historically reconstructs the conservative and moderate liberals’ views on governance, morality, and education within the context of La Regeneración (1878-1903) in Colombian Panama. de la Guardia Wald explores the way political theories and ideologies, especially conservatism and positivism, shaped late nineteenth-century Panamanian pedagogues’ conceptualizations of proper education for the sake of social regeneration. By demonstrating that Isthmian political and pedagogical debates went beyond the preoccupation for the realisation of classic liberalism and exploitation of Panama’s geographical views, this book challenges the perspective that Panamanian identity was a fabrication of the United States. Instead, this study reveals that the combination of positivist and conservative understandings of morality, reason, and good science defined governmental policies intended to recuperate and enhance civic values and nationalism, leading the way to progress and modernity.

• history of education
• international relations
• national identity
• La Regeneración
• Hispanoamericanista
• Acción Comunal

“If you bought this book to learn about the emergence of a pedagogical elite in late nineteenth century Panama, you have a pleasant surprise in store. It also recounts the imposition of a conservative politics on Panama by Colombian president Rafael Núñez in that era and the tenor of civic discourse in both Bogotá and Panama City, including resistance to the president’s overarching program of regeneración. Rolando de la Guardia Wald’s story ranges widely over several decades, up to the arrival of the Americans to build their canal. In it we meet a fascinating cast of thinkers and educators, including Manuel José Hurtado, Manuel José Pérez, Abel Bravo, and Melchor Lasso de la Vega. We also witness the birth of several normal schools and key institutes responsible for training the pedagogical elite and the nation’s future leaders. The book offers a welcome antidote to those who mistakenly believe that Panama blossomed to life the moment the Americans arrived and that its leaders lost control over their destinies. An important addition to the Panamanian history bookshelf.”
—Michael Conniff, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, San José State University, USA



​“Rolando de la Guardia Wald has written a fascinating history about the last decades of Colombian Panama during La Regeneración (1878-1903). His book sheds light on the previously-unacknowledged role of conservative thinkers, pedagogues, and politicians in shaping what became the independent nation state of Panama. Their work transforming educational institutions was critical to constructing a “new” Panamanian nation and culture in 1903. This is an essential book for understanding Panamanian and Colombian history, and the history of education in Latin America more broadly.”
—Katherine M. Marino, Associate Professor, Department of History, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

• University of Panama, Panama City, Panama

  Rolando de la Guardia Wald

Rolando de la Guardia Wald is Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Panama. He is also a member of Panama’s National Research System of the National Secretariat of Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

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