Latin America

by Matt Schneider

On December 20, 2001, Argentine President Fernando De La Rua fled the Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires via helicopter. Riots in the country had left 20 people dead, and unemployment had topped 18 percent. The country had experienced four years of recession, two years of which were presided over by De La Rua. With the country about to default on a record debt, the population’s tolerance for the government ended. All of the buildup, continuing chaos, and economic disorder became known as the Argentine financial crisis of 2001. The Argentine financial crisis of 2001 emerged from poor economic policies of the late 20th century, amplified by the new global system of financial markets.

Published In: Volume 5, Issue 2: — April 4, 2008

by Phillip McKissick

The 2000 Water War in Cochabamba represents the first significant response by the Bolivian citizenry to the malignant effects of global economic policies. It also marks the emergence of new social groups to represent the interests of Bolivians on a broad scale. In addition, the Water War should be seen as a turning point in contemporary Bolivian social and economic history. The emergence of new political actors on the national scene, as well as heightened protests in redress of social and economic ills, are two of the most important phenomena to have emerged in the 2000s; both must be seen in the light of the events of Cochabamba.

Published In: Volume 5, Issue 1: — March 17, 2008

by Santiago Ibarra Estrada

The promotion, training and admission system within the Mexican teachers union is having a negative impact on student learning outcomes. Three policies are proposed to help reform this system.

Published In: Volume 4, Issue 1: Education — March 30, 2007

by Alexis Lozada

Along with international trade and financial flows, an explosive growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) has characterized the process of globalization occurring since the late twentieth century. Although most of the FDI goes to the developed economies, many books have been written about the effects of FDI on developing countries. Findings have ranged from the favorable macroeconomic effects of FDI on the balance of payments, to FDI‘s crowding-out effects on domestic financial markets and its pernicious results in the development of local economies. Historical evidence has also shown that FDI does not often contribute to sustainable long-term economic development in the developing world. Eva Paus’ book, Foreign Direct Investment, Development, and Globalization: Can Costa Rica become Ireland?, adds to the discussion of the effects of FDI in developing countries by introducing an in-depth empirical and comparative economic analysis of Ireland and Costa Rica. Both Ireland and Costa Rica are “latecomers in the development process” and have received little attention in the academic development literature.

Published In: Volume 3, Issue 1: Globalization and its Implications — March 15, 2006