From the Paper "In his musical drama Zoot Suit, playwright Luis Valdez fashions a theatrical experience around two dramatic elements: the historical event of the "Zoot Suit Riots" of 1943 and the commanding image of an icon-like narrator called "El Pachuco." The first is a largely-overlooked historical occurrence of blatant anti-Chicano racism that happened in Los Angeles during World War II. The second, El Pachuco, is a dramatic creation designed to combat the image of the stereotypical Chicano by overstereotyping. Valdez utilizes the Bertolt Brecht-influenced formula of the 1930s' "Living Newspaper" to recreate Zoot Suit's historical events in a presentational, agit-prop style (Huerta 15). In such a style, according to Mordecai Gorelik in New Theatres for Old, "Theatre is a tribunal" (378). That is, it is a deliberate "trial" wherein the playwright is the prosecutor ..."
Abstract This paper discusses how that, although South America has immense natural resources and very diverse eco-systems, nearly one-third of the people live in poverty and how the region has to battle economically and socially to overcome this. It examines how South America's economic barometer is not only shaped by the United States, but by the policies and fiscal decisions of both Brazil and Argentina. It evaluates the economy and trade history both Brazil and Argentina individually, their relationship with MERCUSOR, the South American Common Market and the challenges facing both countries today in achieving some form of financial stability.
From the Paper "The United States is deeply involved in the economics of every corner of the globe and influences each region to a different degree. Although our southern neighbors share our hemisphere and many of our concerns, South America seemingly receives less attention than the markets of Europe and Asian. Henry Kissinger, a former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor to the President, once said ? South America is a dagger pointed at the heart of Antarctica? Despite this rather frivolous comment by Kissenger, the fact is Latin America, encompassing Central America, The Caribbean, and South America is very important to the United States. For example, Mexico is our largest trading partner next to Canada. We will also trade more with Chili than India and send more to Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay than China."
Tags: MERCUSOR, trade, gdp, imports, exports, poverty, population
Abstract This paper examines and compares of the scholarly articles, "The Gender and Labor Politics of Postmodernity" by Aihwa Ong and "Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Community" by Arjun Appadurai, which both offer perspectives on the impact of the changing global economy. The paper illustrates how each author takes a different view on the same theories; one investigating the industrial regions of Mexico and Asia, and the other provides background information to support the anthropological concepts.
From the Paper "In "The Gender and Labor Politics of Postmodernity" Aihwa Ong discusses the situation in the modern industrial work environment, also focusing on the role of women in this environment. Ong argues that there is a gap between what the literature says is happening and what the real experiences of workers are. In the essay, Ong attempts to show what the real situation is by looking at the labor worlds of Asia and Mexico. Ong then argues two main points. Firstly, that "industrial modes of domination go beyond production relations strictly construed" (Ong 62). Secondly, Ong argues that worker's struggles against control are based on what Ong calls "cultural struggle" rather than class struggle."
Tags: globalism, globalization, mexico, industrial, culture, asia
Abstract This paper examines ways in which a woman can successfully navigate her way around the business worlds of both Japan and Brazil. It compares business traditions from each country, especially with regard with what is acceptable for women. The paper covers issues such as appropriate business ettiquette, greeting gestures, hierarchy and status. The paper also shows general similarities between both countries.
From the Paper "Greetings are conducted differently in Japan and Brazil. First names should be avoided when greeting Japanese business contacts. Instead, use the suffix ?-san? to the family name or use the title "misuataa", Mr., or "miseusu", Mrs., and the family name. All introductions are made in order of seniority. One should nod or bow to the same that your counterpart has. Men should bow with their plans flat against their thighs while women should bow with the palm of their hand placed over the back of their left hand and should lower their eyes. Unlike Japanese, Brazilians like to be on a first name basis. However, even here, one should not use first names until invited to do so. Use professional titles to address business contacts of, if there is no title, use the term "Senhor", Mister, or "Senhora", Mrs. followed by the appropriate first or last name as indicated to you by the individual."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the Soviet Union's role in the Cuban Missile Crisis between America and Cuba in 1962. The writer explores the crisis from the Soviet Union's perspective using documents from the Soviet Union archives and puts together a historical account from their view. The paper shows that the Cold War was triggered by the crisis and the eventual dismantling of the former Soviet Union was a result of the Cold War, therefore the Cuban missile crisis, while it scared the world for 14 days, set the stage for today's friendly relations between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union.
From the Paper "The Soviet Union placed the missiles in Cuba as a strategic military and political statement to the world about the actions of America. According to recently released documents pertaining to the crisis the idea came to then Soviet Union leader, Nikita Khrushchev, to use as a counter message to the US. He felt the United States had been flexing its muscles and some of the more recent decisions and actions by the states had countered what the Soviet Union had been led to believe(COLD WAR: CUBAN MISSILE CRISIShttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/archives/colc.html). The crux of the disagreement was nestled in he direct actions of the United States. The problem as realized in retrospect was that the Soviet Union used deceit and lies to accomplish its point instead of holding discussions with the US powers about its concerns."
Abstract This paper briefly discusses the rise and growth of feminist movements in Latin America. It shows how these movements were linked to other socialist movements of the 1960's and how they gain strength. It explains how the feminist movements argued for rights for women just as other socialist movements were demanding equal and civil rights for many population groups.
From the Paper "--------------------
The women's movement of Latin America is a comparatively young one. It's seeds were planted in the 1950s and 1960s when socialist revolutionary fervor swept through much of the world. In the face of poverty, inequality and oppression, people's movements rose up in every corner of the Latin world. And in much the same fashion as Civil Rights, Women's Rights and anti-Vietnam sentiments in the United States coalesced into a unified counter-culture movement by the 1960s, broad social revolution proved to be opportune for politically inclined women in Latin America. In these early days of women's liberation, female guerilla combatants and revolutionaries had to contend with all the same concerns as their male counterparts (i.e. dictatorial central governments, unequal distribution of wealth, federal corruption, etc.). But this was compounded by the threat of sexually motivated violence, social subjugation and the general gamut of gender oriented prejudices. (Winn, 397). As such, women's struggles to gain freedom from oppression extended beyond simple political discontent."
Abstract Parental involvement in education has been demonstrated to have a very positive effect on the social, emotional, and intellectual progress of disadvantaged and ethnic minority school children ? notably, the children of Hispanic ethnicity. This paper shows that, as a result, many educational professionals and community leaders encourage greater parental participation in school programs and in their children's day-to-day educational process. The paper discusses the problems of ethnic minority / Hispanic students who are unique in many ways. It shows that the Hispanic child may be at a competitive disadvantage in school because of language differences, attendance inconsistencies (transportation issues), school programs? placement, racism, low expectations on the part of teachers, conflicting values between the home culture and school and inherent social barriers.
From the Paper "Meanwhile, information about poor educational experiences for Hispanic youth has seemingly become a motivating factor for many schools and citizens who are not satisfied with the educational system as it is. Indeed, when parents (of all ethnic groups) and schools work closely together, those children go farther in school, and the schools they attend are stronger, according to a study (San Diego Office of Education, 1997). This study used data from a nationally diverse sample of 21,814 students and their parents ? data that were used in 66 different studies ? and concluded: "parental involvement has a powerful effect on eighth graders" achievement.? The research shows that parents working closely with teachers helps set up a "curriculum of the home" which has an average effect on achievement that is twice as large as family socioeconomic status. Among the concepts in the survey's curriculum of the home are: parent-child conversations about everyday events, discussion of leisure reading, ?joint analysis of televiewing,? expressions of affection, and interest in children's academic and personal growth."
This paper looks at poor government management in Haiti resulting in political unrest and economic downturn which may again result in higher numbers of illegal immigrants.
Abstract This paper looks at Haiti and shows its strategic relationship to the United States. It gives examples of government allegiances and unemployment. It goes on to show how the United States is fully aware of torturous practices going on in Haiti. The paper concludes by saying it is important that the United States put its energy into more beneficial practices such as to implement programs that will foster democracy and economic strength.
From the Paper "Although things may appear rosy for the Haitian entrepreneur, it is also true that the country has for decades been victimized by very high unemployment and underemployment rates. The lack of jobs was further worsened by the decline in urban assembly sector jobs from 1986-1994. Politics however appear better since 1994 when illegal military rule was replaced with the return of the legitimate government. This resulted in fewer illegal immigrants to the United States."
Abstract This paper provides a survey of the forms of government in recent Chilean history and how these have developed into a quasi democracy. It shows how Chile has long faced problems in instituting a true democratic system of government. It explains that while the earlier Chilean government was strongly democratic, the military coup under Pinochet has done harm to the image of democracy in Chile.
From the Paper "It has been stated that the failures of Democracy in Latin America are due to a lack of democratic tradition. Authoritarian rule is the norm, and democracy is ever an experiment, tried, but often rejected. Yet, every Latin American country is different, and has taken a different approach towards government. Chile has proven that the troubles of Democracy in Latin America are not due to a lack of democratic tradition alone. Chile had a long and stable democracy for most of its history, yet its democracy fell in one quick swoop. Democracy has made a comeback in Chile, but the question is, will it remain? Will the existing democratic traditions as well as a return to democracy make a lasting impact, or will it fall back to Authoritarianism like so many others? To answer this, the fall and return of democracy in Chile bears examination, as well as the current political situation in Chile."
Abstract Examines the country's social structure as reflected in two books. Both authors agree that Brazilian society is divided into the powerful wealthy few and the many poor resulting in social, political, legal & economic injustices. Relationship between the Rainforest & poor & exploited workers. Books are: THE BURNING SEASON by Andew Revkin and LATIN AMERICA: BLOCKATES TO DEVELOPMENT by Robinson Rojas.
From the Paper "The social structure of Brazil, as reflected in Andrew Revkin's The Burning Season: The Murder of Chico Mendes and the Fight for the Amazon Rain Forest, is starkly divided into the few wealthy and the many poor. The wealthy few are the large landowners and the many poor are the laborers and farmers and squatters who live on the fringe of the rain forest, barely surviving. The result is a society of gross social, political, legal and economic injustices for the many poor in their struggle against the powerful and rich.
In general, this social structure reflects as well the social structure in Latin America in general. However, what makes the situation in Brazil even more tragic and disastrous is that the greed and inhumanity of the few wealthy landowners is destroying not only the lives of the many poor but the life of..."
Abstract Examines works that illustrate concepts of land ownership, progress, liberty and justice. Luis Bunuel's 1950 film "Los Olividados;" Mariano Azuela's 1915 novel "Los de Abajo ("The Underdogs); & two stories by modernist Latin American writers that show how the people of Mexico were divided from their natural setting and land. Problems of poverty and rootlessness among the poor. Impact of centuries of oppression, and changes in government that resulted from the Mexican Revolution.
From the Paper "In the early nineteenth century the Latin American liberator Simon Bolivar had posed important questions about who the land belonged to and how progress could be reconciled with liberty and justice. But the questions remained unanswered in the societies that Bolivar's initiative had liberated. Thus, little more than a century later, the Mexican Revolution posed essentially the same questions. The government of Mexico was as corrupt as possible and the system of peonage in the country not only reduced the peasants to lives of serious want and oppression, it also undermined any hope the nation had for a modern economic system. The Mexican revolution came from many directions from the many parties who felt that they had not only been exploited by the Diaz regime but had been defrauded by its 'revolutionary' successor. Operating from the demand for land in the south to..."
Abstract In-depth description of the archaelogical site of Chicheiza. Discusses the discovery of the site. Cataloging its major findings. Contribution of knowledge of Mayan society & the site's role in the future of Mexican archaeology. Its significance as a major MesoAmerican ruin in what was once the greatest Mayan city.
From the Paper "Chichen Itza is the most famous and well-known Mayan archaeological site. It has astonished visitors for over a thousand years and is a prime example of the glory that was the Mayan empire at its peak. Archaeologists have visited this impressive site for over two hundred years, poring over the many ruins and the impressive castle that is the heart of Chichen Itza. In the last twenty years the site has become a major tourist attraction as well, with over 40,000 people gathering twice a year to see Chichen Itza's seminal attraction: the snake formed by the sun during the fall and spring equinoxes. When speaking of Chichen Itza, one thing is certain: there may be prettier archaeological sites, there may be better maintained archaeological sites, but there is no archaeological site in the world that is more impressive. This paper will take an in depth..."
Abstract Analysis of how future economies of the two countries are dependent on U.S. relationship. Political outlook for Mesico and China. Economic opportunities. Mexico and NAFTA and free trade agreements. Political reform movements in Mexico. China's privitization efforts. "Most favored nation" status. State-owned and Western styled management systems. U.S. role in globalization.
From the Paper "China and Mexico: Political Outlook for Both
Perhaps, among all the so-called "trading partners" in the world that directly concern the U.S., both our neighbor, Mexico, and the vast land-mass called The People's Republic of China pose both the greatest opportunities and also some danger. The opportunities are economic, of course. The danger lies in human rights and a difference in political attitude and the very nature of its people and their leaders. We need to get an overview of where relations and political futures of these two vastly different nations are headed. First, Mexico.
From the time many ultra-conservatives wailed that the NAFTA pact would destroy American jobs, the fact that it has brought some economic growth and stability between Mexico and the U.S. has seemed to benefit Mexico's border states more than it has U.S.
Abstract Examines the cognitive processes of Hispanic pre-school children to become bilingau in Spanish and English. Contends that the common language base of English and Spanish makes learning a second language earier for very young brains. The process of leanaing lauguage in human development. Relation of cognitive development to mastering a second language.
From the Paper "This paper is an examination of the cognitive processes by which Hispanic pre-school children master their native language and then become bilingual in English. Acquiring a mastery of one language and then of a second language is an individual process, but it follows similar paths and uses the same distinct parts of the brain in each human being. Because Spanish and English have many semantic and syntactic similarities and because learning a second language is actually easier for very young brains, becoming bilingual at an early age is usually simpler for young children.
Learning to master the language of the surrounding environment is an essential process in human development. Brian MacWhinney (1998) observes, "Children learn language gradually and inductively, rather than abruptly and deductively" (p. 199)."
Abstract Environmental comparison of the two countries. Compares cultural, economic and political environments. Identifies implications for marketing, production and human resource management. Comparison of popularion density and growth. Work force. Social goals. Literacy rate. Educational goals. Capitalist-oriented economies. Industrial policy. Income distribution. Foreign investment. Political problems. Variations in the two countries.
From the Paper "ENVIRONMENTAL COMPARISON OF BRAZIL AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA): CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL
Introduction
This research compares Brazil and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in relation to the cultural, economic, and political environments. The research also identifies implications for marketing, production, and human resource management in each country because of the differences in culture, economics, and politics.
Comparing Cultural Environments
The estimate of Brazil's population as of July 2000 was 171 million persons. Almost 80 percent of Brazil's population resides in urban areas. The rate of population growth in Brazil approximates 1.5 percent. Population density is 18.2 persons ..."
