Erica S. Simmons

About the Author

Erica S. Simmons is a distinguished political scientist and author whose work illuminates the intricate dynamics of social movements and political change in Latin America. With a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, she currently serves as an associate professor at the University of Chicago, where she teaches courses on comparative politics and contentious politics. Simmons' research draws on extensive fieldwork in countries like Bolivia and Peru, exploring how economic policies intersect with grassroots resistance to shape democratic processes. Her acclaimed book, Meaningful Resistance: Market Reforms and the Roots of Social Protest in Latin America (Cambridge Studies in Contentious Politics), offers a groundbreaking analysis of how neoliberal reforms have fueled enduring social protests, challenging conventional narratives of market-driven stability. Through her scholarship, Simmons bridges academic rigor with real-world implications, advocating for a deeper understanding of inequality and mobilization in the Global South.