TRAINING 23/04/2014 Warwick Debating Society

Link to fun Google ‘ustream wudc’, this debate is the first one that comes up, it’s excellent and you’ll learn loads

More fun Today’s training is on Latin America and some motions that might come up to do with it

The basics BIG – c. 604 million in the continent (US c. 300m), covering Mexico to Chile and everywhere in between. HISTORY – European colonialism primarily by Spain and Portugal and terrible treatment of indigenous peoples Independence achieved Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia all Bolivarian (anti-establishment left wing) tradition in political culture Vast majority Christian

More basics 70% of population Catholic (this will be important later) but growing Protestantism Ethnicity – majority of European ancestry or part European ancestry, significant African, Asian and smaller indigenous minorities. Lots of poverty and huge income inequality, high crime rates in many places, especially favelas in Brazil (slums) and cartel violence in Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador etc. MERCOSUR exists along with some other regional organisations – customs unions etc.

Key Issue 0.5: Bolivarianism and Chavismo As a set of ideas: nationalisation, social welfare programs (Bolivarian Missions) and opposition to neoliberalism (esp. IMF etc). Accepts private property but likes social property too. Emphasis on ‘communal’ state. South American economic and political sovereignty, also some degree of self-sufficiency (anti-imperialist trends) Grassroots political participation Ethic of patriotic service Equitable distribution of (South America's) vast natural resources Eliminating corruption

Key Issue 0.5: Bolivarianism and Chavismo Implementation: Some significant gains but lots of problems (Stats from the UN, before Mancey/Tito whine) Poverty from 50.5% in 1998 to 33.4% in 2008 Literacy rates comparable with USA/UK achieved for a time BUT: significant problems with authoritarian rule Chronic food shortages this year, general downturn under Maduro

Key Issues 1: Liberation Theology Definition: a cultural and religious force rooted within explicitly religious Catholic theology interpreting the bible in relation to ‘liberation’ from unjust conditions, specifically economic injustice, poverty and income inequality. LTs believe that the gift Jesus gave by self-sacrifice was freedom from sin They see oppressive economic (and other) structures as structures of sin to be fought against

Key Issues 1: Liberation Theology Specifically different to traditional Catholic doctrine Advocates basing religious thought and doctrine on real-world experiences, as opposed to traditional method of studying doctrine and trying to apply it to real world Does see status quo economic arrangements as bad Gets religion involved in politics, mass movement Criticised by other Catholics for being too this- worldly

Key Issues 1: Liberation Theology Not a cohesive movement in and of itself More of a cultural background to political culture Lots of influence on other movements and making people more radical in the long term Different influences in different places Nicaragua – helped fuel violent Sandinista movement leading to left wing govt Brazil – set up CEBs, (Ecclesiastical Base Communities) pressured military regime peacefully

TH Supports Liberation Theology PROPOPP

Key Issue 2: Drug Cartels Andes Region, especially Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia is the world’s source region for coca (the primary ingredient in cocaine). ‘War on Drugs’ –campaign of prohibition of drugs, military aid, and military intervention, with the stated aim being to define and reduce the illegal drug trade. Big – US spends c. $51 billion each year on it. Demand for drugs in the west means drug smuggling very profitable.

Key Issue 2: Drug Cartels Demand for drugs in west met by smuggling it in. Smuggling done by cartels (criminal organisations specifically set up to smuggle drugs) Currently focused in Mexico and Colombia Infighting between cartels – in Mexico mainly over territory and money etc, but in Colombia a political dimension – FARC left wing, AUC right wing, both paramilitary. Cartels and paramilitary groups do some pretty evil stuff: beheadings, torture, indiscriminate slaughter, child soldiers, sexual abuse

Key Issues 2: Drug Cartels – how to combat? One of the strongest arguments for legalising drugs in the west – stifle demand, strangle the cartels, etc. In debates assuming the WoD is ongoing: PMCs? Govts and armies in esp. Mexico and Colombia notoriously corrupt (less so in Mexico recently) Foreign intervention? Lots of potential problems How to make govts and armies less corrupt – aid? Charter cities in cartel areas? Vigilantes/other local groups?

TH supports the formation of vigilante groups in high crime areas of Mexico PROPOPP

Potential motions for today THW welcome a political union of Latin American states based on the ideals of the Bolivarian revolution THBT the Mexican and Colombian governments should lift all legal limits on the police and law enforcement in fighting drug-trafficking organisations