Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Preview Focusing on the Issue Brazil and Mexico Exploring the Issue Investigating the Issue Document 1 Investigating the Issue Document 2 Investigating the Issue Document 3 Investigating the Issue Document 4 Case Study 2

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Focusing on the Issue How are developing nations such as Brazil and Mexico trying to meet the needs of their peoples? Developing Societies Brazil and Mexico Case Study 2

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Brazil and Mexico Three elements of stability for prosperity –Political—helps businesses take root and thrive, attracts foreign investment –Economic—creates jobs, wealth, and consumer markets; helps build a middle class –Social—contented, stable society promotes political order and helps democracy take root Latin America has had instability in all three categories –Political revolutions—because of economic gaps between rich and poor –Economical reliance on exporting cash crops—keeps regions at mercy of boom-and-bust cycles –Social problems—poor and landless peoples moving to urban areas seeking work; indigenous peoples in Mexico and elsewhere are trying to gain recognition and equality

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Brazil and Mexico Political transformations in Brazil and Mexico –From repressive dictatorships and one-party rule to modern democracies and two-party elections Economic security is more difficult to achieve –With globalization comes competition –Need dynamic solutions for long-term stability –Make use of greatest assets: human resources

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Faces poverty in megacities— those with populations of ten million or more Dangerous favelas—shantytowns where police refuse to go Newly opened spaces for resettlement Destruction of rain forests Problems in Brazil Latin America’s largest country, with the region’s largest economy Making economic progress Global markets in agricultural, mining and manufactured goods Exports increased and the economy grew Progress in Brazil Exploring the Issue Brazil and Mexico face many of the same economic and social challenges Both are trying to broaden their economic bases by expanding sources of trade and foreign investment Face chronic problems of poverty and inequity in society

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Efforts Addressing rural poverty limited by lack of arable land, peasants continue to flow into the megacities Policies focus on urban poverty and spinoff problems Migration to U.S. encouraged, dollars flow back into home economy Creating more highly educated work force is key to solution Mexico Seeks Solutions Second largest economy in Latin America, with oil reserves and tourism industry; NAFTA partner Maquiladoras—large industrial assembly plants near border Highest per-capita income in Latin America but huge gap between rich and poor Exploring the Issue

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Both countries have adopted a number of strategies to boost economic development and to lessen its potential negative effects. Investigating the Issue Document 1 Brazil Taking Lead Forming regional trade agreements in Latin America Establishing trade ties outside region Effectively broadens and stabilizes economy President da Silva is committed to this approach Da Silva’s Philosophy Brazilian president wants to consolidate process of integration Physical integration with infrastructure of roads, railways, communications, and energy Brazil investing in other countries

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Investigating the Issue Document 1 Brazilian President Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva Only infrastructure will make more circulation of goods and people possible Current results –Latin America is Brazil’s biggest market; export almost $28 billion to the rest of Latin America $27 billion to European Union $23 billion to United States “We are showing that it is possible through partnership … we can help ourselves to grow.” Interview, Financial Times, July 2006

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Analyzing Document 1 Why, according to da Silva, does it make sense for Brazil to invest money in other countries in the region?

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 In 1979 Brazil launched a national program to develop alternate fuels. Ethanol is leading alternate fuel –Produced from refined sugar cane –34,000 gas stations in Brazil offer this fuel Program has lowered Brazil’s need for oil –Lower auto pollution –Vast acreage devoted to sugar cane –Environmentalists fear loss of biodiversity Investigating the Issue Document 2

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Investigating the Issue Document 2

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Investigating the Issue Document 2

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Analyzing Document 2 What is the trend in ethanol production? How does the trend correspond to trends in auto manufacturing?

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 About a third of the people in Chiapas are Mayan descendants Since 1994 indigenous people of Chiapas have fought to end political and cultural repression by the government Want decent living conditions in impoverished region Woman in photograph participated in Zapatista rebels of Chiapas protest held in Mexico City Demonstrations have drawn worldwide support Investigating the Issue Document 3

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Analyzing Document 3 What does this photograph suggest about the cultural identity of the people of Chiapas ?

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Investigating the Issue Document 4

Issues in the Contemporary World Case Study 2 Analyzing Document 4 Compare and contrast the statistics for the Mexican and Brazilian cities listed in the table. Which city has a higher percentage of its country’s population? Which city is projected to grow the fastest?