1) Colonialism, neo-colonialism
“intervention”/naked control by first Europe then the US
  
e.g  Monroe Doctrine
"big stick diplomacy"

leads to anti-yanquismo in Lat Am

2) "neo-colonialism"

Economic relationship with the US
Dependency Theory
    core (wealthy countries) vs. periphery (poor countries)

3) Economic problems of the South
What Magstadt calls "the Latin American economic malady” (412)

    Econ heavily dependent upon export commodities (price fluctuations)
    Cost of imports rise rapidly, creating strong demand from consumers for hard currency
    Weak tax structures – tax evasion ; government debt to make up shortfalls

“Roller coaster ride” economies
    marked inflation, currency devaluation (combined with wage freezes)
    as a result of massive foreign indebtedness, demand for hard currency,
    weak banking systems

Exacerbated by global/international financial crises (e.g. Russia, Asia)

4) Pressures for land reform, redistribution of wealth because of strong inequities
small, very wealthy, landowning class vs. large numbers of landless peasants
Click here for chart on income polarization

5) Ramifications of these issues for politics:  intense political competition between
Right and Left
revolution, civil war, military coups

Right
Military plays large role in politics; many military coups, dictatorships
Collusion among wealthy landowners, Church, military (caudillismo)

Left
poor, landless peasants, indigenous movements, guerilla fighters, popular fronts, Marxist movements and political parties
       

Chavez, Venezuela

Chavez's efforts for the poor

3) Catholic Church:  Its multifaceted presence in Latin America

8) 1990s-present: neo-liberal strategies
Privatization of state industries, utilities, airlines 

“belt-tightening” – i.e., cutting government spending
and at the same time raising taxes 

Free Trade – existing customs unions:
    NAFTA
    CAFTA (July 25, 2005) next: Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA)
    Mercosur (Braz, Arg, Para, Uru)
    Andean Trade Pact (Chile, Peru, Ecua, Col, Bol, Venez)
    Group of Three (Mex, Col, Venez)
 
Effects of Free Trade:

 Women in CAFTA