Latin America’s Quiet Revolution Sharon Emily Jamie Vincent Sean

Americans often mistake all Latin American Countries as being mislead by their leaders into chaos. However, not all countries have a strained relationship with the United States

The Negative Aspects are True in… Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, and Nicaragua The pompous leaders still reigning today in these countries are hostile towards the US, and act arbitrarily against their own citizens at whim. Two leaders have contributed the most this stereotype…

These Assumptions are Justified by the Actions of Leaders like Hugo Chavez Current Dictator of Venezuela Known for persecuting his political opposition. Expropriates domestic and foreign companies for public use by seizing farm land and urban real estate. Oil prices are decreasing which is bringing to light Chavez’s empty promises to impoverished families. Bush refused to sell military hardware and spare parts to Venezuelans which has prompted military assistance from Russia instead, posing a threat to the US. Due to mismanagement, Venezuela’s GDP has gone down by 21% in the last decade.

Another Leader who has Corrupted Their Country’s Reputation is Evo Morales He is the Dictator of Bolivia His constitutional rewrites threaten to push his country towards civil war. He works in close relation with Hugo Chavez which is seen as a very dangerous partnership.

However, Many Countries are Undergoing Economic Transformation Chile, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico These societies have increased economic opportunity, social mobility, and political democracy. This does not mean their standards of living are anywhere near American ways of life, but they are greatly improved from even two decades ago. These countries have created new macroeconomic policies that have decreased inflation and simultaneously encouraged investments.

Mexico Under PRI Reign For nearly 70 years, a single party, the Institutional Revolutionary Party monopolized political power. After decades of corruption, economic mismanagement, and arbitrary actions, the PRI was finally forced from power, and the Democratic National Action party guided the country in a more positive direction.

Present Day Mexico Mexicans are now innocent until proven guilty by law. A 2001 reform allows banks to write mortgage contracts as bilateral trusts, in which the bank is both trustee and beneficiary, instead of liens on property. This helps prevent repossession by the countries notoriously inefficient bankruptcy courts. Infant mortality rates have decreased, while life expectancy and years of education have increased in Mexico.

Chile Chilean GDP per capita has doubled over the past 18 years. Their rate of homeownership is the same as the United States at 70 % The government is no longer able to expropriate homes Citizens of Chile are able to have representation in court that protects their rights to life, liberty, and property. Appeal courts help to ensure justice.

Brazil Brazilian Governments have been making recent efforts to model both Chile and Mexico’s new ideologies. They have brought an end to hyper-inflation, and corrupt state-owned banks. A social welfare program is currently in effect that guarantees monetary to families that keep their children enrolled in school.

This Article is important because we should become more aware that stereotypes our changing among Latin American countries. “These economic and institutional modernizers are our natural partners; we need to be able to offer them more than border fences and platitudes about free trade. They will likely need technical and financial assistance—and it is our national security interest that they receive it.” –Stephen Haber Stanford University

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