Abstract
The paper relates that the Republic of Colombia, like many other South American countries, has been deeply influenced by its contact with Spanish colonialism. The paper explains that Colombia was first invaded by the Spanish in 1499, and shortly afterwards became part of what Spain called New Granada, a colonial holding also consisting of Venezuela and Ecuador. The paper relates that New Granada became independent from the Spanish in 1819 and this was only the beginning of an ongoing period of confusion and weakness for the Colombian state. The paper notes that over the next 67 years, until 1886, what was once New Granada dissolved into the individual states of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. The paper adds that the Colombia of 1886 also included Panama, which seceded in 1903, the year in which Colombia took on its modern form.

From the Paper
"The Republic of Colombia, like many other South American countries, has been deeply influenced by its contact with Spanish colonialism. Colombia was first invaded by the Spanish in 1499, and shortly afterwards became part of what Spain called New Granada, a colonial holding also consisting of Venezuela and Ecuador. New Granada became independent from the Spanish in 1819. This was only the beginning of an ongoing period of confusion and weakness for the Colombian state. Over the next 67 years, until 1886, what was once New Granada dissolved into the individual states of Colombia,..."

Tags:colombia, venezuela, economics

Abstract
The paper discusses the lengthy history of narcotics in Colombia, the history of the American war on drugs and the types of drugs that appear most prevalent in Colombia. From there, time is devoted to looking at the issue of aerial spraying, why it seemed like a good idea when first conceived, and precisely what impact it has had (or is suspected to have had) upon Colombia. In the final analysis, the paper concludes that aerial spraying seems superficially to be an effective means of thwarting the drug trafficking problem in Colombia, but it may simply be a needless distraction diverting resources and expertise away from worthwhile alternatives.

Tags:colombia, drug, trade

Abstract
The paper compares and contrasts the past and present of Cuba's and Colombia's political and economic legacy, relationship to the United States, and contributions to the American experience. The paper shows how both nations have struggled with mixed success to overcome endemic problems such as poverty, corruption, and American political and economic dominance of the Western hemisphere. The paper explains that because of its dominant political and economic power in the Western Hemisphere, the United States has had troubled relationships with Cuba and Colombia, and this dominance has had and continues to have a significant impact on Cuban and Colombian politics, economic situations, and relations with the United States.

From the Paper
"In comparing and contrasting the past and present of Cuba's and Colombia's political and economic legacy, relationship to the United States, and contributions to the American experience, it is evident that both nations have struggled with mixed success to overcome endemic problems such as poverty, corruption, and American political and economic dominance of the Western hemisphere. Because of its dominant political and economic power..."

Tags:cuba, and, colombia

Abstract
The paper reveals that recently, Colombian troops crossed the border into Ecuador where they captured FARC guerrillas and a laptop that contained information implicating Hugo Chavez and a plot to purchase radioactive material to build a dirty bomb. The paper relates that Chavez says Colombia is acting as a U.S. proxie and condemned the incursion into their neighbor. The paper then discusses how Colombia says Ecuador and Venezuela are providing a safe haven for narco-terrorists.

Tags:colombia, ecuador, chavez

Abstract
The paper compares the economic growth and education policies of Colombia and the United States. It analyzes these issues in light of the recent economic performance of both countries and current education practices. The paper concludes that education policies reinforce economic goals by seeking a literate work force.

From the Paper
"It is commonly accepted that high levels of education lead to high levels of economic output in societies. Literacy rates, compulsory education ages, availability of schooling for boys and girls and performance on standardized tests are commonly used as predictors of a nation's future economic potential as well as metrics for its current economic performance. This research considers two countries-the United States and Colombia-in terms of their recent economic performance and their current education practices."

Tags:colombia, united States, education, economic growth, workforce

Abstract
This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the United States' aid package for Colombia known as "Plan Colombia." An overview is provided of the political and historical background of the plan, and its ramifications are explained and evaluated. The writer examines whether it is a legitimate action taken against the supply-side drug problem in Latin America, or whether its motivation is the expansion of U.S. oil companies in Colombia. By first applying a multiple streams framework to the idea that Plan Colombia is a product of counter-narcotics policy and subsequently applying multiple streams to the idea that Plan Colombia is the result of the desire to expand the influence of American petroleum companies, the writer arrives at interesting conclusions. This paper contains a figure.

Outline:
What is Plan Colombia?
Drug War: Problem Stream
Drug War: Policy Stream
Drug War: Politics Stream
Drug War: Coupling Event
Problems Arising from the Multiple Streams Framework Being Used to Analyze Narcotics as the Motive for Intervention in Colombia
Oil War: Problem Stream
Oil War: Policy Stream
Oil War: Politics Stream
Oil War: Coupling Event
Oil War: Proof After the Fact
Conclusions
Part II: an Evaluation of the Impact of Plan Colombia
PART III: A New Plan for Colombia: January 31, 2009
Political/Economic Background (Some Creative Writing About the Future)
The Situation in Colombia, 2009

From the Paper
"Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who was also the chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on crime and drugs, believed that the rise of cocaine production in Colombia, despite decreases in Peru and Bolivia, was evidence that the Clinton administration had not done enough to stop drugs at its source. Immediately, Hastert went on a crusade to address this problem. In a letter written to President Clinton in conjunction with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott on August 3rd, 1999, an alarm was sounded over the need to prevent the creation of a "narco-state south of our border.""

Tags:guerilla petroleum Clinton military government, drug trafficking, pipeline energy narcotics SUV

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the north westernmost country in South America, Colombia. The writer notes that Colombia is the second most populated South American country next to Brazil and the majority of the population lives in the mountainous cities around the capital of Bogota. The writer points out that with this intense congregation of people in one area, the economy of Colombia is poor and unstable. This paper attempts to explain why the economy has fluctuated during the last thirty years and gives examples of life in Colombia as a result of an ever-changing economy.

From the Paper
"In 1999, Colombia suffered a recession as a result of low world oil prices, reduced export demand, and increased guerilla violence throughout the country. This caused an increase in unemployment, increased drug usage and sales, and devaluation of the Colombian peso. In 1999 at the time of the recession approximately 17.7% of the Colombia people were living at or below the national poverty line."
"As a result of the 1999 Colombian recession, unemployment quickly rose. There were more people in Colombia than jobs. Many companies closed because they could not afford to pay their employees. In the year 2000, the unemployment rate in Colombia reached 20%. This rate did not stay at 20% for long because of the instability in the Colombian economy, by 2006 the unemployment rate had improved and was at 13% which also decreased poverty and gained confidence among the people in foreign and domestic affairs."

Tags:Colombian, recession, unemployment, drugs

Abstract
This paper explains that United States and Colombia share a hemisphere, a legacy of European colonization, rough equivalents in terms of life expectancy and literacy, and both appear to be waging two wars at the same time; however, the comparison largely ends there. The author points out that Colombia is treading a very thin line as it seeks to balance the need to continue to pursue its aggressive economic reforms while prosecuting untenable wars against the drug traffickers and insurgents who continue to represent a major threat to the political stability of the nation. The paper stresses that, if stabilized, Colombia could become one of the leading industrialized nations of the world, based on its hard-working and highly literate population.

Table of Content
Introduction
Review and Analysis
Table 1. Comparison of Colombia and United States
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Today, Colombia still strongly reflects its legacy as a colony of Spain, and is frequently referred to as the most Roman Catholic of the South American countries; the majority of the Colombian people are proud of the relative purity of their Spanish language. The country's population is heavily mestizo, a term which describes those of European and Indian descent; there are also significant minorities of European and African ancestry. The country's economy is traditionally agricultural based, especially its world-famous coffee as well as fruit production; however, industries and services are assuming increasing importance. Colombia has the most population of any of the Spanish-speaking nations in South America; more than one-third of its inhabitants live in the six biggest metropolitan areas, of which Bogot is the largest. Despite the advantages of climate and an abundance of natural resources, Colombia's political instability has been historically linked with the inequitable distribution of wealth, and the illicit trade in drugs (primarily cocaine) continues to represent a major challenges to the stability of life in Colombian life."

Tags:population, literate, drugs, wars, catholic

Abstract
This paper seeks to outline the abuses occurring in Colombia, carried out both directly and indirectly through aid from the U.S., justified by our so-called "war on drugs." The paper explains that the U.S. drug policies implemented in the early part of the 20th century gave rise decades later to initiatives directed abroad designed to curtail drug production on the supply-side in a supposed effort to control and reduce U.S. domestic drug use and accessibility. The paper goes on to assert that these policies and initiatives appear to have done very little to reduce the number of drugs produced or brought into this country, but are directly responsible for damaged relations between the U.S. and foreign nations and have intensified impoverished conditions and social injustices among the peoples where these initiatives have been directed. The paper clarifies that Colombia is one such case where the U.S. has focused an enormous amount of attention on drug production over the last few decades, escalating those efforts to the point of violence since the 1990s. The paper concludes that heightened efforts are required on a widespread level to bring about enlightenment through better understanding to counter the currents bent on pervading and dominating the globe.

Outline:

Introduction
Background on the Issues / A History of U.S. Involvement in Colombia
Integration of chosen topic and chosen organization
Proposed Solution #1
Proposed Solution #2
Chosen Solution and Justification
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There is also a good bit of controversy surrounding the varied results of the scientific testing of these formulations, with regulatory agency reviewers siding with Monsanto (the maker of Roundup, a variant of which is being used in the fumigation mixture in Colombia) in more cases than not, discrediting or ignoring the results of independent studies and dismissing the methodology used despite them being published in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals (Sherret, 2005, p. 158). In one section (Reproductive and Endocrinological Effects), the reviewers cite only two studies, both of which were undertaken by Monsanto researchers as the basis for their conclusion (Sherret, 2005, p. 158). This information is extremely disconcerting and lends credence to suspicions that corruption exists within the corporations manufacturing these products and the U.S. regulatory agencies created to ensure that products are actually safe for their intended use."

Tags:aerial fumigation, glyphosate cosmo-flux synergism coca cocaine

Abstract
This paper examines how, despite their apparent dissimilarities, the nations of Uganda, India, and Colombia are united by their biodiversity emergencies. In all of these impoverished nations, wildlife is being lost at an alarming rate. It shows how in India, poaching is to blame, while Uganda and Colombia must both combat years of civil unrest to protect their wildlife. It discusses how all three countries must employ both governmental and private agencies in order to save their disappearing wildlife.

From the Paper
"In addition to its coal reserves, India has great diamond mines. Diamonds are the country's largest export, providing it with $6.6 billion a year (Kripalani 2000). Currently, India's mines are controlled by small-community based companies (Kripalani 2000). Steps have been taken by the federal government to bring in outside organizations with advanced mining equipment, such as De Beers Consolidated Mines (Kripalani 2000). However, those efforts have been greatly opposed by locals, who illegally dig for diamonds and fear losing profits to foreigners (Kazmin 1998). In addition to diamond mining, India is involved in diamond cutting and polishing. Because of this, nine out of ten diamonds sold worldwide pass through India (Kripalani 2000). In smaller quantities than its coal and diamonds, India also contains petroleum, iron ore, many different minerals, and natural gas (India 1999)."

Tags:asia, biodiversity, overpopulation, wildlife, poaching