Abstract
This paper chronicles the efforts of the Bush Administration to pass the CAFTA, the Central America Free Trade Agreement. The author explains of its benefits. The paper delineates the problems of this legislation.

From the Paper
" On January ..., President Bush announced that the United States would explore a free trade agreement with the countries of Central America. The President said his Administration would work closely with Congress towards this goal. The President added that the purpose of this initiative was to strengthen the economic ties the United States already had with these nations and to reinforce their progress toward economic political and social reform. The Central American Free Trade Agreement CAFTA is a proposed agreement between the United States and Guatemala, ..."

Tags:Cafa, free trade, central america, opposition, nafta, trade barriers, duties, international trade, benefits

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that the role of women in the Central America area is complicated. The writer notes that on the one hand, women are not given the same rights as men and are also treated by the Church and society in a paternal fashion. On the other hand, many women in such societies work more often side by side with men in the fields and in some urban work situations, though they tend to be under-represented in higher level positions, in business, and in the professions. The writer points out that more and more analysts are recognizing, however, that women in Central America may be a key factor in bringing about change for the future.

Outline:
Social Analysis
Ethical Considerations
Business Strategy

From the Paper
"The shift has been one from a strategic to a more pragmatic perspective as well. The one approach prepares women for a role in development by teaching them skills and providing them with needed goods and tools for the tasks of caring for the family, for instance, while the other takes the approach of gender mainstreaming, which means using strategies and processes to integrate gender-responsive goals in directions, policies, budget, projects, and services of development agencies. The approach tries to assure that men and women have equitable access to needed resources, among which might be socially valued goods, opportunities, and rewards. GAD also implies equal participation in influencing what is valued in a society and in helping to shape development, taking a role in planning, priority setting, policies, processes, implementation, evaluation, and resource allocations."

Tags:resources, inequities, development

Abstract
This paper examines how Central America is a distinctive region comprising of five small countries, namely, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and how the five countries have encountered more than their fair share of political chaos and turmoil, beginning from the times of colonial occupation. It looks at the development of the region from being one of the economically depressed and socially backwards sections of the world when the Spaniards entered the region, through their independence from the Spaniards in 1821, to the liberalism and dictatorships of the 20th century.

From the Paper
"The enlightenment that came through Spaniards ironically marked the end of Spanish rule when in 1821 Central America declared its independence, surprisingly without a shred of violence. The people who had gained some cultural advancement and political awareness refused to remain under Spanish control after Mexico announced its independence. The very next year, Central America decided to join Mexican empire but this fusion was short lived as the five countries detached themselves from Mexico in mid-1823. From fifteen years after that till 1838, these five countries shared one political identity and the federation was known as Provinces of Central America. The union which had been enthusiastically created was however not as beneficial to all countries as had been originally perceived."

Tags:guatemala, honduras, el, salvador, nicaragua, costa, rica

Abstract
This critical essay examines Douglas Porpora's book, "How Holocausts Happen: The United States in Central America". The author analyzes the legitimacy of Porpora's themes, and uses historical evidence to refute them.

Abstract
The following paper discusses the historical facts pertaining to the economic development of Central America. It also examines the unfolding of events and regional and global environmental factors and provides a qualitative analysis to support the central thesis that forward movement can be sustained.

From the Paper
"Central America is an area undergoing a huge transformation as it enters the 21st century, integrating the economic social, political and cultural changes associated with its goal of incorporation into the global economy and international political society. The old authoritarian regimes have crumbled through transitions to democratic government, and leftist movements of the 1980s have been defeated or transformed. Political and economic changes are apparent throughout in Central America. Facilitated by the proactive opening to the global economy and export-led development (ELD) strategy, maquiladora production (particularly of garments), tourism, nontraditional agricultural exports, and money sent home from emigrant workers have risen dramatically in importance, changing the society and economy of the region from a traditional agricultural base to include and embrace the channels of global production and distribution. This has caused the emphasis to shift from farming, cottage industries of artisans, regionally-focused small industry, and other traditional classes to the new economic activities, creating new urban and rural working classes, and a new class of labor (Robinson, 1998)."

Tags:emerging, market, countries, political, structures, embarking, steady, growth, path, winning, confidence, potential, investors, trading, partners

From the Paper
"This paper will discuss the roots and causes of poverty in Central America and the Philippines. Both of these regions are underdeveloped and are therefore considered to be part of the Third World. This is particularly ironic in the case of the Philippines, because that nation has seen a great deal of industrial growth during the twentieth century. Nevertheless, the majority of the population in the Philippines live in poverty despite the fact that the nation as a whole is "well above the poverty line". This situation exists because of inequalities in the distribution of wealth. In this regard, it can be seen that the wealth of the Philippines is "concentrated among owners and managers of a relatively few well-organized and productive enterprises and land-holdings" while the majority of the people are "engaged in small-scale business and farming" ... "

Abstract
This paper explores two endangered species in Central America, the squirrel monkey and the manatee.

Abstract
This essay is a case study that pertains to utilitarian and rights-oriented ethics in international business. The ethical issue involves the known environment in which H.B Fuller operates, in Honduras and Guatemala, when selling toluene-based glue that is in high demand in Central America but is as it is also known to be abused by street children to their great detriment. This essay argues that when this situation is examined from a number of points of view, an ethical position that is to the benefit of all players, including the H.B.Fuller organization, can be established.

Abstract
This paper includes a simple identification of nations from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Twenty-six nations are listed alongside a map of the region. The paper further discusses some of the lasting effects of Spanish and Portuguese colonialism on this region, including culture, economics, and politics.

From the Paper
"By the early 1500s, both Spain and Portugal had well-established colonies throughout this area of the world. Spain's influence spread throughout all three sub-regions, while Portugal's influence was localized primarily in Brazil (Kicza, 2003)."

Tags:cartography, colonialism, america

From the Paper
"This paper studies the history and progress of Latinos in American society. Latino and Hispanic peoples are the fastest growing minority in the United States. Experts predict that in five years they will become the nation's largest minority group, outnumbering African-Americans. Many of their ancestors came to the New World before the ancestors of the nation's founders, yet history and social forces have made them America's newest minority and given them some of the greatest challenges to confront any racial or ethnic group trying to become part of the great American melting pot. Although Latinos are often viewed as a single group, in fact they include individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and circumstances, bound together by a common language (which many no longer speak) and a common religion (which many no longer practice). Nevertheless..."

Tags:latin, america