PERU

The distribution of income and wealth in Peru is one of the most unequal in the world. A key objective of the research in Peru is to investigate how this inequality is perpetuated, and how it affects different measures of wellbeing. More specifically we are interested in explaining variation in successful collective action within selected research sites.

To this end research is being undertaken along a "corridor" that runs east from Lima into the Central Highlands of the country (see map). The concept of the "corridor" is not solely geographical. Rather it reflects variation in:

Environment, including altitude and access to natural resources

•    Population density and degree of urbanisation
•    The relative importance of local and global trade
•    Proximity to centres and sub-centres of political power
•    Ethnicity (including the relative importance of Quechua and Spanish)
•    The relative importance of individual and collective values.

In line with studies in other countries, primary research will be concentrated in four mainly rural and two mainly urban sites.

Short descriptions are below. Also more detailed information available in Community Profiles

The urban sites, are both slums whose size has been fuelled by rural to urban migration from the highlands, in part as a result of the "Shining Path" terrorism.

Nuevo Lugar
A large slum area in the Eastern part of Lima, the capital.

Progreso
A relatively new slum area on the edge of the city of Huancayo in the Mantaro Valley

Descanso
A small district headquarters and farming area close to the city of Huancayo with relatively good access to services and markets.

Alegria
A district headquarters and farming area across the border from Huancayo into the Dept of Huancavelica. Quechua language is more widely spoken.

Llajta Jock and Llajta Iskay
Two villages (or annexes) of Jatun Llajta Iskay, Llajta Iskay being slightly larger but more distant.

Selva Manta
A village in cloud forest on the Eastern slopes of the Andes producing coffee and sugarcane, and in an area wthat interacts closely with the Mantaro Valley.

Staff from the Pontificate Catholic University of Peru already have many years of conducting research in both districts, as well as in urban slums.