Latin America Swerves Left

1. Latin America Swerves Left

2. Socialism • Socialism is an economic theory advocating public or common ownership and cooperative management of the means of production and allocation of resources. • Usually supported by the “common man” Why is socialism popular with the lower class citizens?

3. Important terms: • Nationalization—to convert from private to governmental ownership and control. • Globalization—the process in which connections around the world increase and cultures become more alike.

4. Socialism Timeline • 1990’s—democratic governments/economies were widespread. • Led to high and unrealistic high expectations • Officials and the poor populous began pushing for Socialist programs. • Expected to correctproblems that a free-market economy could not. Today, Socialist trends are stronger than ever.

5. Hugo Chavez • Critic of globalization and US foreign policy • Very influential due to Venezuela’s extreme oil wealth. • Career military officer • 1980’s—military-civilian revolutionary movement • 1997—Left-wing Fifth Republic Movement • President since 1998 • 1999 Venezuelan Constitution • 2008 – present – United Socialist Party • 21st Century Socialism” (free development of each and all)

6. Brazil • Dilma Rousseff • 1st female president (55%) • Designated successor of President Luiz Inacio da Silva • The Worker’s Party • Previous member of a left-wing guerilla group that fought against Brazilian military dictatorship. • 1970-1972—jailed • High rate of unequal distribution of wealth

7. Drug Trafficking in Latin America and Effects on the United States

8. Illegal Drug in Latin America • Drug cartels in Mexico control about 70% of the foreign narcotics that flow into the United States. • The US/Mexico border is the primary entry point of all drugs smuggled into the US. • Most of the drugs that enter the US, from Latin America, are produced in the Andes region (Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia—900 tons or 1,800,000 lbs of cocaine annually). • Would drug trafficking decrease if illegal drugs were legalized?

9. War on Drugs: Winning or Losing? • 34,000 people have died in the past four years. • Plan Colombia: provides hundreds of millions of dollars to fight drug production and trafficking • Merida Initiative: US, Mexico, and Central America—drug trafficking and transnational crime • $1.4 billion to Mexican government for military and law enforcement

10. The U.S. federal government spent over $15 billion dollars in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate of about $500 per second.http://www.drugsense.org/cms/wodclock

11. War on Drugs (cont’d) • Aerial herbicide application—spraying of large amounts of toxic herbicides (Roundup) over the jungles of Central and South America. • What problems can fumigation create?

12. Drug Trafficking Route

16. Poverty in Latin America Possible Causes and Solutions November 12th, 2011

17. Poverty • Inability to afford basic human needs • Ex. Clean water, nutrition, health care, nutrition, education, clothing, and shelter. • The international poverty line is $1.25 a day. • About half of the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 a day.

18. Poverty • Although most Latin American countries are impoverished, some have a GDP per capita higher than that of China ($8,394). • Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico, and Panama are considered middle-income countries with GDP per capita ranging from $16,000 to $12,000. • What is a middle-income country?

19. Poverty as a • Most unequal region in the world • The wealthy make up a very small percent of the population but they consume 48% of the income. • Poorest part of the populous only consumes 1.6% of the income.

20. Malnourished Populous • Poorest countries: • Haiti—47% of Haitians suffer from malnourishment • Nicaragua—27% • Bolivia—23% • Honduras—22% • Malnourishment—not having enough food to develop and function normally.

21. Indigenous Population • The indigenous peasants suffer the most from poverty due to unfair distribution of wealth.