The Idea of Latin America is a geo-political manifesto whichinsists on the need to leave behind an idea which belonged to thenation-building mentality of nineteenth-century Europe. Charts the history of the concept of Latin America from itsemergence in Europe in the second half of the nineteenth centurythrough various permutations to the present day. Asks what is at stake in the survival of an idea whichsubdivides the Americas. Reinstates the indigenous peoples and migrations excluded bythe image of a homogenous Latin America with defined borders. Insists on the pressing need to leave behind an idea whichbelonged to the nation-building mentality of nineteenth-centuryEurope.