Continuity And Changes In Latin America

American attitudes towards Latin America can be summed up as an extension of larger global directives, and the exclusion of foreign powers in the region. This was highlighted especially during the Cold War as US involvement was essentially in competition with the USSR. Latin America was therefore a mere pawn in the larger context of US-Soviet competition for global dominance. The actions and methods used are also characterized by the lack of an international authority, or an atmosphere of inter-state anarchy, which shaped their calculations in the endeavor to increase their influence over Latin America. When one analyzes the situation, it seems only rational that the United States treated its southern neighbors so, due to the geographical

Latin America is a continent that is constantly struggling between governmental abuse and oppression of its citizens. In Latin America, it is very common for non –democratic systems to be enforced. During recent years, the continent has experienced a governmental shift from an absolute to a more democratic system. This era is called the democratic third wave, which brought about democratic like tendencies to Latin America. Many factors such as corruption, poverty, and inequality pushed the people to favor this new democratic system. The abuse of power is also very common, and the citizen’s unrest is highly noted. Most citizens are in favor of doing away with the old system of government, and establishing a new efficient political system.

What comes across your mind when you think of Latin America? Latin America consists of many different cultures, people with ethnic backgrounds; Mexico, Central America, South America. Latin America has the diversity in its people, and succession has brought along what makes Latin America what it is in modern times. In the article “Latin America: Myth and Reality,” the author mentions that “stereotypes spring from ignorance and bias,” which I think is significantly appropriate to bring up in this conversation (“Latin America” 3). Latin America is united by their differences, and I think most of the stereotypes are disappearing, while people are becoming more educated. But to comprehend what lies behind the mask, we all must disregard labels, and instead appreciate Latin America for who they all are. To mention a few, let’s dive into the article to understand some common stereotypes that someone might have.

Latin America is doing both positive and negative changes to their economy. In my opinion, I think that latin is making more positive changes than negative changes. I gathered many of my facts and supporting evidence from the textbook Geography and History of the World. A lot of the information was located in section one of chapter ten.

It is very important to analyze the evolution that has taken Latin America because many countries have made lobbying and plan strategies that have served to encourage better structure and have significant growth in this area, though often stagnate countries and are limited in their development.

Following a decade of high development thanks to the commodity super cycle, Latin America has lost its glow: economic advancement is near zero, equality gains have slowed down, and the political landscape is changing. Although a few nations have started down the path of structural change required to raise efficiency and competitiveness, it is clear that the recent slowdown of economic progress has made the reform process more difficult. When growth slows or stalls, societies tend to shy away from processes of continual, systematic reform, despite the promise of positive results in the forthcoming time frame. At times of economic instability, the short term rules and attention to the medium/long term fades. Preventing this from happening is the main challenge facing Latin America today.

Now that we have caught up to the 20th century, we can see how Chile’s economy is preforming now. As the first South American country to join the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), Chile has led the South and Central America in the Heritage Foundation annual Index of Economic Freedom since 2000. Chile is the 44th largest export economy in the world and the 58th most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI). Chile’s primary export commodities include copper, fruit, fish, products, paper and pulp, wine and chemicals. Chile’s export partners include China (14.2%), USA (11.3%), Japan (10.4%), Brazil (5.9%), South Korea (5.7%), Netherlands (5.2%), and Italy (4.9%). Chilies primary imports commodities includes petroleum, chemicals, electronics and telecom equipment, vehicles, natural gas and industrial machinery.

The events that took place before and after Western involvement have led to modern-day Bolivia and help explain the implications for how Bolivia has changed and stayed the same under the Morales administration, which implemented the new constitution in 2009. After the constitution was ratified, some legislation quickly followed suit, including the electoral system, a law of autonomies, and a law establishing the parameters of communitarian justice in indigenous areas (Crabtree and Chaplin 2013:25).

Chile has long been redeemed as a market-oriented economy with a reputation for active foreign trade and strong financial institutions that have the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports of goods and services account for approximately one-third of GDP, with commodities making up three-quarters of total exports, mainly copper (Central Intelligence Agency 2015). However, since February 2011 copper prices have decreased by more than fifty percent, from the peak time of $4.5 per pound to the bottom of $2.05 per pound in 2015. Currently future contracts of copper maintain a stable price profile across delivery state until 2020, at the level of $2.1-2.3 per pound. In short-term, Chile’s GDP growth has been hampered by low copper prices and less active mining private investments. In 2014, Chile’s GDP is $258.1 billion with real growth rate of 1.9%, much lower than previous year’s growth rate of 4.2% (The World Bank 2015). And it is estimated 2015’s GDP growth rate to be 2.1%, partly due to the fact that copper prices are unlikely to return to peak prices in the near term (International Monetary Fund August 2015). Chile’s largest sectors by GDP so far are services (61.5%), industry (35.1%) and agricultural (3.3%) (Central Intelligence Agency 2015).

The Federative Republic of Brazil is the largest country in Latin America, fifth largest in the world, and has the largest economy in Latin America as well. With upwards of approximately 204 million inhabitants, the opportunity for expansion in to such a competitive market seems enticing for those willing and able to endure the countless social, cultural, political, legal, and global factors that comes with expansion to the seventh-largest economy in the world. Companies who are successful in their endeavors will encounter a global consumer base and may instantaneously reap the benefits of such a populated market. However, in retrospect, those who are unsuccessful could face severe losses from a branding perspective and ultimately, financially.

Throughout the early to mid start of the twenty-first century Latin America had experienced what was believed to be its largest boom in terms of economic growth. Forecasters were mainly looking at the nation of Brasil to demonstrate this boom through the leadership of then president Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva. Brasil was predicted to be one of the global leaders in terms of developing nations in the modern era. In fact it was the only Latin American country inducted into the BRICS ( Brasil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) movement. However one issue arose to the nation of Brasil and other Latin American countries that would haunt them in the future. The artificial rise in the prices of commodities minerals, oil and grains brought about

In the last decades there has been a generalized shift in west Higher Education (HE) from a teacher-centered to a student-centered approach. One important influence for this might be the publication of the translated constructivist ideas from Vygotsky in the 70’s and the subsequent theories developed around this ideology. Nevertheless, this globalized trend has not been as popular in Latin America (LA) and there has been even a resistance to adopt it.

The 21st century in Latin America will be filled with a number of multifaceted challenges. As we sift through Latin America's rich history, we can find potential clues to how modern problems should or should not be handled. It's incredibly difficult to predicate with a high degree of certainty whether a solution from the past will be successful today. Likewise certain choices from the past shouldn’t be ignored just because they didn't work in the past. Therefore we shouldn't treat the past as a rulebook, but rather as a source of inspiration to guide us towards a more prosperous future. From the economy to the environment, Latin America's diversity will be both its greatest asset and burden in solving their 21st century

Latin America sums up to a region where cultures have combined and collided. Inca civilization is one among several that have flourished for a long time. Before the Europeans arrived in 1400s most of Latin America was controlled by Portugal and Spain for a period longer than 300 years. They forced a new religion, new languages and new laws onto the inhabitants of the region. However, the native culture survived by blending it in with the conqueror. Currently the custom, costumes and faces of most Latin American’s reveal the mixed heritage; it is a region of developing countries.

Over the past decades Latin American countries have been in transition and relatively high growth rates were observed. Constant economic reforms led to a reduction in poverty in some regions with some exceptions. Latin American countries face many challenges but also they are niches of opportunity. Across regions a high sense of inequality and low penetration of technology are among the most recognizable challenges. In this regard, FDI works as the main engine for Latin American countries and has been increasing steadily over the recent years.