Abstract Examines policies of U.S. Presidential administrations. Events that have impacted upon the economic, cultural, and political dimensions of American policy toward Castro and Cuba. Pressures placed on the American government by its allies to reshape its Cuban policy. The role of the U.S. Cuban community in U.S. politics. The Elian Gonzales incident.
From the Paper "Dimensions of American Policy Toward Cuba
Introduction
Since Fidel Castro took control of Cuba in the 1950s during the administration of U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, American policy toward Cuba has been based on the dream of a communism-free Cuba with a democratic government and a capitalist free market economy (Radhu, 1998). American policy toward Cuba has tended to position Fidel Castro as the primary obstacle to the achievement of this dream. The presence of a politicized, activist, and influential Cuban exile community in the United States has been one of several factors that underpins the persistence of this policy. Michael Radhu (1998) notes that from Eisenhower to Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, few meaningful changes have occurred in official ..."
Abstract Discusses the issue of drug trafficking between the USA and Latin America. Examines the political ramifications of various governments' drug policies. Economic concerns and factors. History of drug trafficking as a product of the 20th Century. Illegal market. Impact of Prohibition on drug use and transportation. Changing government positions towards the problem.
From the Paper "Introduction
The United States is currently engaged in a War on Drugs, a war that has been waged for decades and which shows no indication of being successfully concluded in the near future. As with other types of wars, this one has fronts both within the domestic borders as well as in foreign lands, and the war affects the country's economic policy and shapes relationships with numerous foreign powers. The United States military and intelligence services are engaged in the war, as are various law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels. Yet drug use and abuse continues to be strong within the United States, and drug interdiction efforts on the international level draw mixed reviews. This research considers the issue of drug trafficking between Latin America and the United States, and examines the political ..."
An El Nino event manifests as the appearance of warm sea surface water in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator. This paper discusses the effect this event has had on Ecuador.
Abstract The writer gives examples of damage done to the country of Ecuador as a result of heavy rains. El Nino battered Ecuador harder than almost any other country. The paper also cites long-term effects of the damage, such as crop destruction and loss of property. The paper then looks at ways in which the country is learning to predict future storms, thereby allowing for preparation.
From the Paper "The Bermeo family had been driven from their small home and farm, looking for dry ground, unable to get into the overcrowded refugee camps. They had to swim to safety after a food swept through their valley and buried their farm in mud. Their pigs and chicks drowned and the smallest children were saved by climbing into a high tree until a neighbor with a boat rescued them. They said they were afraid of the passing cars and trucks, but more afraid of the water."
Abstract This paper discusses how the recent Argentinian economic crisis is one of the most significant events that took place in modern history of Latin America. This paper focuses on the causes of the crisis and the period of the outbreak, December 2001 and January 2002.
From the Paper "For most of the 20th century, Argentina was considered one of the most developed countries in South America, however poor economic decisions, political instability, and widespread corruption have contributed to Argentina's decline from the 10th richest country in the world in 1913 to the 36th in 1998. Argentina now finds itself bankrupt with an external debt of US153 billion. This makes up one seventh of all the debt of developing countries."
A discussion of the discovery of the New World by Columbus with an emphasis on the exchange of diseases between the Native Americans and the Europeans.
Abstract This paper examines how the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 changed the the geography of the world with an entire new continent appearing on maps of what would soon be seen as a globe instead of a flat surface. In particular it looks at how the geography of known disease also changed as Old World diseases such as smallpox, measles and influenza found a new population with no immunity because it had had no exposure to these diseases before. It examines how this effect became known as the Columbian Exchange and evaluates the result of this exchange of diseases between the Native Americans and the Europeans.
From the Paper "To this day there are arguments among researchers about the presence or absence of some diseases in the population of the New world, such as tuberculosis and syphilis. These may or may not have been found among the population before Columbus. Recent research suggests that there was some sort of "tuberculosis-like pathology" in the population before 1492, though it was of a type not associated with pulmonary disease. There was also a relatively benign nonvenereal (meaning not sexually transmitted) treponemal infection that was related to syphilis. There is no evidence, however, that either disease was at all widespread in either North or South America. Recent studies conducted in great detail show that large-scale sedentary societies in the Americas, where such diseases could have taken hold, did not."
Abstract Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was one of the many Spanish explorers to set foot in the New World in the early sixteenth century. This paper discusses the film "Cabeza de Vaca", directed by Nicolas Echevarria, which tells de Vaca's story. The paper argues that while the film is well done, it makes grossly incorrect stereotypes of the Native Americans and their treatment of the Spaniards. It shows that the portrayal of the Native Americans in this way is in direct contrast to de Vaca's original writings in which he praised the way the locals treated his exploration party.
From the Paper "Governor P?nfilo de Narvaez was also a Spanish explorer, and it was on June 17th, 1527 that he set sail from Sanlucar de Barrameda. The king of Spain had commissioned him "to conquer and govern the provinces that lie between the river of Las Palmas and the tip of Florida" (Pupo-Walker 5). Accompanying Narvaez and his five ships were three to six hundred Spanish people, of which included Cabeza de Vaca. Cabeza de Vaca ?was made treasurer of the expedition by a royal warrant dated 15 February, 1527? (Bishop 25).
The exact details of the voyage are rather confusing. Most historians agree that the expedition stopped several times along the coast of Cuba, gathering supplies as well as losing many men. It then seems that before leaving a port in Cuba, several of the ships sank, drastically dwindling not only the amount of supplies, but also the amount of Spaniards. The voyage then continued their mission to the southern tip of Florida."
Abstract This paper discusses the workings of the SVR (Russian Foreign Intelligence Service), GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate of General Staff) and FAPSI (Federal Agency for Government Communications and Information). It examines how the changing of the KGB into FSB affected the role of Russian intelligence. The paper explores how the Russians operate their espionage systems all over the world and specifically inside the U.S. Finally, the paper looks at how Cuba and its facilities are helping Russia perform espionage operations in the White House and the Pentagon.
From the Paper "The Russian Federation has a significant intelligence capability that it inherited from former Soviet Union. Much of this intelligence collection infrastructure continues to focus on collecting information concerning the United States. Russia has the ability to use IMINT, SIGINT, HUMINT, MASINT and open source analysis to develop all source intelligence products for Russian political leaders, military planners, and industrial concerns. According to FBI, Russian intelligence operations against the United States have increased in sophistication, scope, and number and are likely to remain at a high level for the foreseeable future."
Tags: cold, war, GRU, Gorbachev, MASINT, IRINT, Prognoz
Abstract Since World War II developing countries in South America have been provided with the option of adopting one of three different economic development strategies-- structuralism, neo-liberalism, and Marxism. This essay examines the economic and political results engendered by each approach and determines what these results suggest for future economic policy choices in the region. Three countries lend themselves to this analysis. Cuba, since the overthrow of the Batista regime and the establishment of Castro's Marxist government, has pursued economic development along Marxist lines. In Argentina a structuralist economic order under Juan Peron gave way to a neo-liberalist orientation. In Chile, a neo-liberal experiment between 1974 and 1990 took place and this experiment has led to structural change in the national economy.
From the Paper "Under Raul Alfonsin and the Radical Party, efforts to reconcile democratization with rapid development and social justice were largely frustrated by a succession of failed stabilization plans (Smith, 1991). A catastrophic economic collapse led to a convincing victory by Peronist Carlos Menem in the May 1989 presidential contest. This ushered in a wave of neoliberal, free market reforms designed to restructure the Argentine economy along the lines of a so-called Washington Consensus (Smith, 1999). In essence, Menem rejected the structuralist, populist, and statist postulates defended by Peronism since the 1940s."
Abstract This paper provides a brief discussion of the diverse ethnic groups in America. The assumption that assimilation and "Americanization" occurs, is examined in relation to the two books. The paper illustrates the reality of the racial and ethnic division in America. The theme of family is emphasized throughout the paper, portraying an awareness of the power of family to make differences seem trivial.
From the Paper "America is often characterized as a melting pot, a term meant to show that the country is one in which many different kinds of people have come to join American society. These people are supposed to be assimilated, but this is not always true. Even if the first generation is not completely assimilated because of differences in language or customs, though, it is thought that their children would be fully assimilated and "Americanized." James McBride in The Color of Water and Richard Rodriguez in "Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood" point to an America where the melting pot may be a reality, seen in the degree to which members of the family accept each other and their different heritages, but where they must also contend with the many examples of racial and ethnic division defining an America that remains separated by ethnicity and color."
Abstract This paper provides an inquiry into the unique United Nations? intervention in Haiti. After a brief introduction to Haiti's history and violent politics the paper focuses on the events leading up to the United Nations? intervention. The events comprising of the UN-monitored elections in 1990 leading to the installation of Jean- Bertrand Aristide as President, his overthrow and exile in a military coup, economic sanctions and naval blockade of Haiti and finally approval of the UN Security Council, for the first time, for forcible intervention to change the Government is briefly discussed. The paper focuses, in particular, on the decision making process in the United Nations Security Council. The lessons learned from the Haiti action are analyzed and conclusions are drawn regarding pointers to the future role of the UN in Peacekeeping and Nation Building.
Questions Discussed in the Paper:
What prompted the United Nations Security Council to sanction force for the restoration of democracy?
Was international peace and security so threatened by Haiti's military government that the United Nations felt compelled to intervene?
Did the United Nations exceed its mandate?
Has democracy become such a widely accepted international norm that the United Nations has a right to restore it when a legally elected regime is forcibly overthrown?
If so, why only Haiti?
Did the United Nations allow the USA to use the Security Council to pursue its own regional purposes?
What role did the regional and other powers play in the build up to the intervention?
Has the concept of sovereignty been eroded by the actions of the UN Security Council in the 90s?
What are the consequences and lessons learned from the UN intervention in Haiti?
Does the United Nations have the wherewithal and resolve to sustain such interventions on a regular basis?
From the Paper "Aristide ,who was attempting many revolutionary reforms which alienated the elite, was overthrown in a military coup d?etat in September 1991. While Aristide went into exile, members of his movement were subjected to executions, oppression and grave violations of human rights. The Organisation of American States imposed a trade embargo on Haiti. By February 1992 about sixteen thousand refugees fleeing Haiti had already arrived in Florida. In 1992 an OAS mediated accord to create a government of consensus failed. Meanwhile the US President signed an order stating that all boat people attempting to enter USA from Haiti would be sent back without determining whether they had legitimate claims for asylum."
Abstract This paper examines the experiences of rural/agricultural and urban/industrial immigrants to the United States. The paper sets forth the context in which the setting for immigrant groups assumes importance for understanding the immigration phenomenon and then discusses problems or difficulties that all groups shared. It looks at experiences that were unique to various groups either because of special group or individual characteristics or because of the environment in which the immigrants functioned.
From the Paper "Hard times for immigrant farmers led to their activism in cooperatives and alliances that would help preserve agricultural community cohesion--even to the formation of the Populist Party, which favored government subsidy and regulation of agriculture, as long as government was subsidizing big business as well (Study Notes, p. 57). The general difference in experience from permanent to migrant rural/agricultural groups, however, is consistent with the statement in study notes for lesson 3 (p. 48) that settlement in family units would predict permanent immigration; it follows that the split-family pattern of Asian and Latin American farm workers would come under the migrant and not permanent model."
Tags: Ellis, Island, prairie, Per, Hansa, homestead, land
Abstract The paper identifies and analyzes the characteristics of these three consumer market groups and then discusses ways in which marketers can use those characteristics to profitable advantage. The writer employs statistics to give a numerical focus to the population in the United States today, outlining characteristics of each population and giving marketing strategies for reaching each consumer group.
From the Paper "The best way to reach these immigrants (and their potential dollars) is through the distribution of radio commercials and staff-produced stories on Spanish-language radio programs. Moreover, because the country at large expects strong increases in the Hispanic people, media companies are spending large amounts of money hiring consultants to help them do a better job of reaching Hispanics (Medina, Saegert, & Gresham, 1996)."
Abstract Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a Colombian writer noted for his mixture of realism and fantasy in stories with great power and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" is such a tale. The paper shows how Marquez draws on his own knowledge and experience of village and city life and of the political currents of Latin America in shaping his stories, but he also infuses these tales with his particular moral sense and with his conception of meaning evoked by combining the real and the fabulous in a near-allegorical fashion. The paper discusses how issues of human identity are developed through such allegories, which examine the identities first of individual characters and then of human begins in similar situations. Marquez uses the image of the village as a microcosm for all of society, and just as each individual in the village finds his or her identity in relation to the rest of the village, so does every man and woman in a larger society find an identity in how they relate to their culture.
From the Paper "In the story, the issue of whether or not this man is an angel is treated in a way that is counter to what we might intuitively expect. We might expect that an angel would be hailed and that the people would gain some spiritual sustenance from the visit of an angel, but this is not what happens at all. The old woman next door believes he is an angel, and yet she urges that he be clubbed to death because she believes angels are "the fugitive survivors of a celestial conspiracy." Pelayo and his wife are not sure if this old man is an angel, but as long as people question whether he is or not, those people will pay to see him. They make the old man into an attraction and thus turn a burden and an uncertainty into an opportunity to make money. In doing this, they are only continuing their task of eking out a living by using whatever opportunity presents itself."
Abstract This paper examines why a bottle of Bodegas Escortihuela Argentine wine costs over $20 in the United States and less than $2 in Argentina. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Argentina is the fourth largest wine producer in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The paper looks at Argentina's export record, the cost of producing wine in Argentina, tax issues and reasons why Argentina bothers exporting its wine. The paper includes tables.
From the Paper "Due largely to its European heritage, the citizens of Argentina are some of the largest consumers of wine in the world. Because of this, wine is sold through a number of channels in that nation, all of them for the most part, strongly supervised by both the nation and the state. In general, the wines are sold to the consumer at a price that is roughly 500 percent of cost. If a bottle of Cabernet cost $1 (including labor, corking, packing) then by the time it would reach the consumer, it would bear a retail price of $5."
Abstract The paper discusses the feminist fictional voice depicted in the book both through its characters and through the use of magical realism. It also notes the comparison between Allende and author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This paper compares the book with its film version, and points out the ways the movie fails to convey a good representation of the novel.
From the Paper "Allende's female characters demonstrate this truth. Clara is the epitome of the woman for whom life is process, and her ability to speak to the spirits and to see the future shows that process is the meaning in her life. By contrast, her husband Esteban is dedicated entirely to goals--first to becoming rich, then to marrying well, then to building on his riches and his prestige, and ultimately to preserving all that he has built."
