Abstract The paper analyzes "The Colonial Heritage of LatinAmerica," by Stanley and Barbara Stein who argue that many of the characteristics and limitations of LatinAmerica have their inception during the colonial period and have been altered only slightly with the passage of time and increasing technology that enables better contact with the rest of the world. The paper discusses the suggestion that LatinAmerica is a continent that has only been able to inadequately fulfill its development potential, based on the limitations of the persistent characteristics of its colonial past.
From the Paper "In "The Colonial Heritage of Latin America," Stanley and Barbara Stein argue that many of the characteristics and limitations of Latin America have their inception during the colonial period and have been altered only slightly with the passage of time and increasing technology that enables better contact with the rest of the world."
Abstract This paper gives a brief yet concise history of the independence period in LatinAmerica. This era took place in the early 19th century and was characterized by countries seeking independence from the colonial rule of Spain and Portugal. The role of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe and the American War of Independence are considered as possible influences for the Latin American quest for independence. The role of Simon Bolivar, a Latin American fighter and revolutionary, is also considered.
From the Paper "Throughout its history, Latin America was fraught with violence and bloodshed. Whether it was the invasions with the Toltec in Mexico in 950-1150 Common Era (CE), the defeat of Chimu by Tupca Inca in Chile in 1476 CE or Tenochtitlan falling to the Spaniards and their Indian allies in 1521 (Baker 1998) , the landscape from the American continent to the Caribbean islands was forged with fire and the blood of both natives and conquerors. But the revolution discussed herein is the one or those that happened from 1800 to 1830 wherein the fundamental structure of Latin American countries changed and spelled "the beginning of the end of the Iberian Colonial powers in Ibero-America." As discuss by Baker, the period is known as Independence Period wherein, like falling dominos, colonized countries from Haiti, Paraguay, and Venezuela to Chile, Argentina, etc. revolted against their masters and declared Free states. "
Abstract This paper examines how as early as 1958, the Milton Eisenhower report criticised U.S. behavior on LatinAmerica and how Latinos accused the U.S. of denying them credits in the desired volume, of fixing prices to their detriment, of neglecting the necessity of social reform and of supporting the region's dictators. It looks at how under the pressure of the Cuban Revolution, John F. Kennedy launched an unprecedented development programme for LatinAmerica which took into account Eisenhower's demands. It discusses the Alliance for Progress that Kennedy launched to help LatinAmerica in the 1960s. It evaluate its failure by the 1970s and examines the reasons for that failure, with particular reference to Frei's Chile.
From the Paper "Idealism and liberalism would soon be replaced by realism in the White House. The Kennedy administration's passion for the development of Latin America, strongly influenced by the realities of Fidel Castro in Cuba, was replaced, after JFK's assassination, by Lyndon Johnson and his Latin American Affairs chief, Thomas Mann. Both men saw Latin America from the position of Texan oil entrepreneurs, "Mexico and the rest". As LaFeber argues Mann was, "the perfect choice to dismantle the Alliance at the same time Johnson continued the old Kennedy rhetoric". If the Alliance contained fundamental flaws under Kennedy's idealists, then once the realism of Johnson and Mann, followed by the globalism of Nixon and Kissinger, came to power, the last chance for the Alliance to prove a success was extinguished."
Abstract This paper explains how the temperate grasslands of LatinAmerica developed, both in their original formation and in terms of colonization. Human development was a matter of aggressive exploitation.
Abstract This paper responds to questions on the relevance of Carlos Fuentes's volume of 1985 which is, definitely, still relevant. The paper focuses on the special strengths of this monograph that involve the author's attention to cultural and historical realities in LatinAmerica that render it a distinct culture zone. The paper also discusses the U.S. involvement and how it has led to globalization.
From the Paper "The Ongoing Relevance of Carlos Fuentes, in Latin America - at War with the Past. (1985). Toronto: Anansi, 2001. The arguments found in Carlos Fuentes's volume, Latin America - at War with the Past, as valid in 2005, as they were 20 years ago, in a day when the world may have seemed rather different. The Soviet Union had yet to fall, there was some faith in international development programs that allowed for deficit finance, and developing countries had yet to feel the effects of restructuring ordered by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund."
Abstract The paper offers an assessment as to whether the countries of LatinAmerica are less subject to external control today than they were twenty years ago. LatinAmerica consists of the countries that traditionally formed part of two of the great continental European empires from the 16th century onwards. The paper shows through the use of historical examples that although the nature of control has altered, LatinAmerica is still the subject of external influence and direction. As such, the actual position in 2008 is little different from that of 1988 or 1788. The paper states that Colonial and Cold War doctrines have been replaced by the almost invisible control posed by globalisation. The paper confirms that only when the region acts in a united manner that safeguards its natural and agricultural resources against outside encroachment will we be able to say that LatinAmerica has freed itself from external control.
From the Paper "From the early 1950s onwards this protection of interest centered on the perception of threat from Soviet communism, in particular the theoretical assumption that communism could spread from one country to another like the falling of dominos (Ambrose and Brinkley, 1997; p.76). This certainly accounts for President Kennedy's endorsement of the "Bay of Pigs" invasion attempt of Cuba in 1961 and President Johnson's overt support in 1964 for a right wing revolutionary coup in Brazil (Ibid, p.103-107). In the same fashion, the Soviet Union attempted to bolster and intervene on the side of left wing groups and movements."
Tags: cold, war, national, governments, globalisation
This brief yet concise paper examines the 'dirty wars' that took over LatinAmerica after military takeovers and economic ruin plagued countries like Argentina and Chile.
Abstract The writer of this paper discusses the dirty wars of LatinAmerica that were enabled by the military forces, which were independent units that had no civilian political control in their own country. This paper looks at how various Latin American military conglomerates governed enormous military-industrial complexes which gave them an undue economic strength. This paper also contains relevant historical details and facts on this subject including how Costa Rica avoided a dirty war situation by abolishing its own army in 1948.
From the Paper "During the 1970s, the country entered a steep recession. Starting in the early 1960s, the gross domestic product expanded at a rate of 6 percent annually. This was a reflection of land reforms that were enacted in 1961, which aimed to legalize existing squatter holdings and prevent future squatting, thus giving more than 12,000 people legal rights to arable land. There was a consequent increase in export crops - bananas, coffee, sugarcane being major items - and by the mid-1970s, agriculture had become the dominant factor in the country's export income. In 1973, inflation rates skyrocketed to 15 percent and then to 31 percent in 1974."
By examining various events in recent history, this paper looks at whether the relationship between the U.S. and LatinAmerica is a healthy relationship.
Abstract This paper discusses the relationship between the U.S. and LatinAmerica, through discussion of the following case studies: Cuba and the U.S. trade embargo; Mexico and the use of U.S. branch plants (or maquiladoras); Colombia and the U.S.A. war on drugs; Brazil and the U.S. environmental standards in the rainforest; Panama Canal and U.S. actions regarding U.S. involvement; and the Chile-U.S. fair trade agreement. The paper finds that the relationship between the U.S. and LatinAmerica is not a positive one for LatinAmerica.
From the Paper "The issue of Cuba has been a thorn in the side of the US since the Cuban missile crisis. Currently, the US imposes a trade embargo on Cuba, and all of its products. This, coupled with Russia's disengagement from Cuba, has caused huge economic problems for Cuba, which is rich in natural resources, including sugar and tobacco. Without outlets for its products, Cuba is unable to maximize its profits from its natural resources, and remains a poor country. Yet, it is a country with an excellent health and education system, which is the envy of many developing (and even developed) nations: the socialist government ensures that those resources the country does have are used wisely, to the benefit of the majority of the people on the island."
Abstract This paper discusses drug wars, civil unrest, and guerrilla activities in Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, and compares and contrasts how these issues would or would not affect the four countries.
Tags: WORLD HISTORY AND CULTURE / CENTRAL AMERICA, LATINAMERICA, events latinamerica
Abstract The paper explores the history of the relationship between the nation-states and the indigenous populations, and analyzes the economic, political and cultural influences in this relationship. The paper describes how, since the 1800s, the indigenous population of LatinAmerica has been severely abused and how in the past thirty years, indigenous groups have actively sought institutional representation and cultural security within the actual borders of their nation-state. The paper reveals that while today political and civil rights are being actively granted to the indigenous population, they want something more tangible, namely, sovereignty.
From the Paper "When describing the state of indigenous people within Latin America, Alison Brysk explains that they are among the "poorest, sickest, most abused, and most defenseless" people in the world today (Conklin, preface). Since 1800, Latin American governments such as in Ecuador, Peru and Panama has forced indigenous populations off their traditional lands in order to promote further oil drilling within their country. Respect for political rights to property and a voice within the democratic process are two key elements that the indigenous of Latin America do not seem to have. An outward example of this is the Columbian celebration "Five Hundred Years of Resistance" campaign, a campaign started by the indigenous to highlight injustices and abuses of the native inhabitants within the Americas."
Abstract This paper looks at the Spanish-American War of 1898 and examines two enduring legacies, a restructuring of U.S. naval power and a realignment of the U.S. position towards its neighbors in LatinAmerica. It also provides a background to the breakout of the war.
From the Paper "The story is nearly as famous as those wooden teeth of George Washington's although this one ? being nearer to us in time ? is probably less embellished. It is hard to imagine that anyone growing up in the United States has not heard at one point or another about the Rough Riders ? actually the 1st Volunteer Cavalry in the Spanish-American War, a regiment recruited by Theodore Roosevelt and composed of cowboys, miners, law-enforcement officials, and college athletes. Their colorful and often unorthodox exploits received extensive publicity in the U.S. press, especially after Colonel Leonard Wood resigned as White House physician to command the regiment (Cosmas, 1998, p. 37)."
Tags: regiment, Rough, Riders, San, Juan, Hill, Cuba, Latin, America, Havana, USS, Maine
This paper discusses income disparities in LatinAmerica: The history, main causes, the different countries, high-income disparities, ethnicity and gender, and possible solutions.
Abstract This paper states that, although inequality and high levels of income disparity represent major challenges confronting economists and leaders in many parts of the world, the problem is particularly severe in the Latin American countries. The author believes that the root of this phenomenon lies in the region's colonial history and the exploitation of the indigenous population as slave labor for agriculture and tapping the mines. The paper concludes that these stubborn patterns of inequality can be overcome if determined efforts are made to open political and social policies to all and to provide access by the poorer sections to social services. Footnotes.
Table of Contents
Income Disparities in LatinAmerica Measuring Inequality: Some Recent Studies
LatinAmerica: How Unequal?
Income Disparity in LatinAmerica: Getting Worse?
Is Poverty and Income Disparity Related?
Historical Roots of Inequality in LatinAmerica Comparison with Colonization of North America Persisting Patterns of Inequality
Social, Economic and Political Changes in the 20th Century
Roles of Race, Ethnicity and Gender in Income Disparities
Racial Identification
Ethnic Identification
Identity Formation and Discrimination
Assets of Households
Access to Services
Average Incomes
What do the Race and Gender-Related Income Statistics Mean?
The Consequences of Inequality
Considered Unfair
Results in Greater Poverty
Affects Economic Growth
Current Backlash
Solutions for Reducing the Inequality in LatinAmerica More Open Political and Social Institutions
More Equitable Economic Institutions and Policies
Conclusion
From the Paper "Poverty and income disparity are not the same concepts. Poverty may decline in a country or region where income disparity is increasing. However, experience has shown that such a situation occurs rarely and inequality and poverty are closely related. This is because in a growing economy with stable levels of inequality, poverty invariably falls. As a result the Latin American region showed significant reduction in poverty levels in the 1970s, when its economies were growing with a corresponding drop in inequality. On the other hand, the 1980s saw a fall in incomes and more unequal income distribution?resulting in accelerated increase in poverty."
Abstract The paper begins with a review of the history and development of the internet. This review deals with the technological development of the internet, as opposed to the applications of the technology. In the second section, the internet is reviewed as an industry. The essential structure of the industry, the functioning of electronic commerce (e-commerce) within this structure, and variations in the Internet industry among global regions and countries are covered. The following section looks at information on and analysis of the region itself and the internet industry in LatinAmerica. Information on and analysis of those internet companies already active in the Latin American internet industry are found in presentations in this following section. In the next section, data relevant to firms participating in 2000 in the internet industry in LatinAmerica are presented. Firms are discussed within the context of their industry participation: (1) ISPs and horizontal portals, (2) vertical portals, and (3) e-commerce firms. The major emphasis, however, is placed on the ISPs and horizontal portals group, as it is this group within which most of the publicly traded internet industry companies in LatinAmerica are to be found.
Introduction to the Report
Report Contents
Introduction to the Internet
Section Preview
History of the Internet
Development of the Internet
Section Notes
The Global Internet Industry
Section Preview
The Structure of the Industry .
E-Commerce
Industry Variations by Global Region
Section Notes
The Latin American Internet Industry
Section Preview
Development of the Industry
Issues Relevant to Future Growth
Industry Variations by Country
Section Notes
Players in the Latin American Industry
Section Preview
ISPs and Horizontal Portals
Vertical Portals
E-Commerce Firms
Section Notes
Bibliography
From the Paper "This report is designed to provide the investor considering entry into the Internet industry in Latin America with the information needed to make an informed decision on the issue. To provide a logical flow of information to support an integrated assessment process by an investor, this report is structured in major sections, each of which provides information relevant to the investment decision in a sequence that leads from a basic familiarity with the Internet and the Internet industry to an in-depth review of the major players in the Internet industry in Latin America. To facilitate an investor's review and analysis of the information provided in this report, major sections and their sub-sections are identified both textually and numerically in the Report Contents page which follows this Introduction to the Report. Sources of information presented in this report are identified through the use of a notation system. For the convenience of the reader of the report, notes are located at the end of each major section of the report and are identified as Section Notes. A Bibliography of all sources cited in the report is presented at the end of the report."
