This week as the last chapter in the textbook focuses on more recent issues that have resulted in large political change and the division of Latin America into left and right politics. But it is important to keep in mind that there was room for this political change because of the corruption and other issues within the state itself. Beginning with the earthquake in Mexico, when Mexico wasn’t even stable to begin with. But the government of Mexico could not handle the situation well and one side of the public called for socialist reform and the other for less emphasis on state.
As a result of poor economics, recessions, corruption many countries in Latin America went into right wing politics. Organizations like IMF and World Bank who, at first seem to be doing good by lending money to countries but the money comes with conditions.
After the collapse of the USSR confirmed that capitalism could defeat socialism and highlight free trade and markets. But this was detrimental to Cuba, as their economy relied on Soviet market and Cuba was sent into a downward spiral. Nations that were struggling had to change economics in hopes of improving. The new policies were tied to to a decline standards of living for the working and poor classes. Local markets became global markets because of cheap labor, better agriculture seasons and minerals in Latin America.
This new trend created a market for elites to be able to make more connections in North America, buying houses, educating their children there and withdrew from civil society in Latin America. Migrating to North America became popular for further opportunities. Creating what we know today to be a big issue between the US and Mexican borders.
However, this created a new generations of leftists who were able to catch the attention of the peoples by exploiting the negative dimensions of globalization. Many uprisings such as, Hugo Chavez’s in Venezuela were motivated by the negativity towards the elites or the uprisings in Bolivia regarding their gas industry. In Bolivia protesters created roadblocks to isolate La Paz which, resulted in who leaders resigning and then a socialist came into power.
I have really enjoyed these recent readings because they are easy to relate to. These are issue that even if you are not aware of Latin American history one is able have background information about. We are very fortunate that we have taken this class for an entire term and have been informed of its history. We are able to make inquiries as to why this has occurred from simply knowing the impacts of colonization, North American influence and now more recently globalization.
As you said, it was interesting to read about supremacy of capitalism over socialism. As a result of collapse of the USSR, Cuba suffered greatly. When economic recession hit Latin America, they suffered from foreign debts and sought help to the IMF. However, series of measures imposed by the IMF such as austerity measure and free trade put countries into a negative spiral.
I have also enjoyed the last couple of chapters since the topics are more recent. It still amazes me the amount of information I have obtained in just one term of the course.