Chapter 11
- 1. Today’s Issues: Latin America Its colonial past has left Latin America with long- term problems, including environmental crises, political instability, and poverty. NEXT
- 2. SECTION 1 Rain Forest Resources SECTION 2 Giving Citizens a Voice Today’s Issues: Latin America Case Study The Income Gap NEXT
- 3. Section 1 Rain Forest Resources • Special-interest groups make competing demands on the resources of the rain forest. • As the rain forests are destroyed, the quality of life on earth is threatened. NEXT
- 4. Rain Forest Land Uses Vanishing Biodiversity • Rain forest has biodiversity—wide range of plant, animal species - 50 million acres of rain forest worldwide destroyed annually SECTION 1 Rain Forest Resources Continued . . . Clearing the Rain Forests • Mahogany, cedar harvested, exported from Amazon • Poor native farmers clear rain forest for crops • Poor soil fertility, increased erosion lead to more timber clearing NEXT
- 5. SECTION 1 continued Rain Forest Land Uses Population Pressures • Over half of Amazon rain forest is in Brazil - growing population: 173 million in 2000, 200 million projected in 2020 NEXT
- 6. The Price of Destruction Losing More than Just Trees • Deforestation—cutting down and clearing away trees SECTION 1 Continued . . . Environmental Concerns • Rain forests regulate climate: absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen • Fewer forests means less carbon dioxide absorbed - it builds up in atmosphere, prevents heat from escaping into space - global warming—atmospheric temperature rises, weather patterns change NEXT
- 7. SECTION 1 continued The Price of Destruction Plants and Animals in Danger • Covers 6% of earth’s surface but has 50% of plant, animal species • Researchers are trying to develop medicines from rain forest plants NEXT
- 8. Moving Toward Solutions A Juggling Act • Balancing economic development with rain forest preservation - some countries restrict economic development • Grassroots organizations try to educate people about rain forests - protest environmentally damaging plans SECTION 1 Fighting Economics with Economics • One environmental plan is the debt-for-nature swap - group pays part of government’s large debt - government protects part of rain forest - approach works in Bolivia NEXT
- 9. Section 2 Giving Citizens a Voice • Despite obstacles, democracy is beginning to succeed in Latin America. • The success of Latin American democracies depends on political, economic, and social reforms. NEXT
- 10. A Struggle to Be Heard The Legacy of Colonialism • Since Spanish conquest in 1500s, Native Americans ruled by others - under Spain: governors ruled the region, acting on behalf of monarchs • Minority of Spanish colonists still ruled after 1800s independence • Oligarchy—non-democratic government of the few - press censored, free speech limited, dissent punished - discrimination against those not in Spanish ruling class - elections were rigged SECTION 2 Continued . . . Giving Citizens a Voice NEXT
- 11. SECTION 2 continued A Struggle to Be Heard The Legacy of Colonialism • If government couldn’t control people, military would seize power - form a junta—harsh government run by generals Continued . . . NEXT
- 12. SECTION 2 continued A Struggle to Be Heard The Rule of the Caudillo • Many 20th -century Latin-American countries ruled by a caudillo - military dictator or political boss, such as Argentina’s Juan Peron - supported by military and wealthy; sometimes even elected Continued . . . NEXT
- 13. SECTION 2 continued A Struggle to Be Heard The Rule of the Caudillo • Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) ruled Mexico for 71 years - in English, the Institutional Revolutionary Party - opposition parties legalized, and elections held - fraud and corruption keep PRI in power • Opposition parties make gains in 1997 congressional elections - Vicente Fox becomes first non-PRI president in 2000 NEXT
- 14. Establishing Stable Democracies The Goals of Reform • Establish constitutional government, democracy - freely elected government that respects the law - citizens participate in political affairs - citizens are well-educated and economically secure • Economic stability needed for political stability SECTION 2 Continued . . . NEXT
- 15. SECTION 2 The Goals of Reform • In 1983 Raul Alfonsín becomes president of Argentina - first free election in decades, but economy was ruined by military rule - to fight inflation (rise in prices) Alfonsín freezes wages, prices - issues new currency to replace peso (which later returned) • Measures work at first, but by 1989 inflation is back - Carlos Menem elected as new president; introduced capitalist reforms - reduces government spending; sells off state industries, utilities continued Establishing Stable Democracies Continued . . . NEXT
- 16. SECTION 2 The Goals of Reform • Increase women’s role in politics, involvement in government - Marta Suplicy elected mayor of São Paulo, Brazil, in 2000 continued Establishing Stable Democracies Continued . . . NEXT
- 17. SECTION 2 Land Reform • Land reform—break up ruling minority’s large landholdings - take land, economic power from wealthy elite, give to peasant farmers • Mexican land reform begins when Benito Juarez becomes president in 1858 - wanted to redistribute land to break cycle of poverty - further land reform follows Revolution in early 20th century continued Establishing Stable Democracies NEXT
- 18. Case Study The Income Gap BACKGROUND • Income gap—the difference between quality of life for rich and poor • Rio de Janeiro’s mix of wealth, poverty illustrates an income gap • Some people live in swamps, garbage dumps; others live in luxury • The gap is widening in Latin America; solutions have been proposed How can the economic gulf between rich and poor be bridged? NEXT
- 19. Case Study The Nature of the Problem Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor • Income gap—difference between quality of life of the rich and poor - gap is widening in most Latin American countries • Gap has many causes, including the impact of colonialism • Three ways to understand the issue: moral, economic, political NEXT Continued . . .
- 20. Case Study A Moral Issue • How can a caring society justify wealthy few, poor majority? • Catholic Church, other religious faiths see problem as moral - feel narrowing gap is matter of social justice NEXT continued The Nature of the Problem Continued . . .
- 21. Case Study An Economic Dilemma • Most countries have free-market economies, minimal government rules - people have freedom, rewards they need to create wealth • Poor lack skills to fully, equally participate in such an economy - most have little education; can’t read, can’t find jobs - end up doing menial labor - conditions in slums bring disease, crime, short life spans NEXT Continued . . . continued The Nature of the Problem
- 22. Case Study A Political Problem • Poverty creates desperation - people with nothing to lose are willing to take risks - they protest, fight, attempt to overthrow unjust governments, societies NEXT Continued . . . continued The Nature of the Problem
- 23. Case Study A Political Problem • Region has had many bloody rebellions put down by militaries - Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala - during civil wars, human rights and dignity are violated - rebels seek economic justice, militaries protect wealthy NEXT continued The Nature of the Problem
- 24. Case Study Possible Solutions Education, Politics, and Economics • Gap varies by country - 45% of Brazilians live in poverty - income gap is much narrower in Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay • Governments hope free-market economies will narrow gap - create economic opportunity, stability for all citizens NEXT Continued . . .
- 25. Case Study Education, Politics, and Economics • Democracy seen as essential for widespread prosperity - provides outlet for protest, opposition - policies can reflect will of people • Important to spend money on education - need literate, well-educated people for complex economy’s new jobs NEXT continued Possible Solutions
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