Figure 1.--

Latin America is one of the several world regions and while there are many similarities with the countries south of the Rio Grande, there are enormous difference from country to country. There has been less diversity in social thought. From the beginning of my study of the region as a young man, I was struck by the dichotomy betweem Nort America and Latin America. Both regions have enormous natural resources and came to be dominated by Europen powers at about the same time (actually Latin America) a century earlier. I wondered why North America developed so much more rapidly and successfully than South America. The differences were not as apparent in the 19th century. For a time it seemed like revolutionary movements with suceeded in achieving independence would create democratic republics that could achieve the same successes reported in America and Canada to the north. The Mexican-American War showed that the two republics were fairly evenly matched. The American victory was largely due to superior military leadership. The hopes of the liberal democrats who led the Latin American revolutions were dashed as military coups led to insability and a landed aristocracy resisted social reforms. More recently we see Argentina and Uruguay, two coutries on the cusp of achieving economic development fail. And than after World War II we note the Asian Tigers achieve impresive development while Latin Anmerica languashed and large numbers of its people attempt to migrate to North America. Today the implementation of free market ideas has become to make a difference in the regions largest country--Brazil. Most countries, however, report little social progress. And many countrie (Bolivia, Cuba, Edcuador, Nicaraga, and Venezuela) seem intent on pursuing economic and political models that have failed whereever they have been tried. And one has to ask why so many Latin Amnericans look so fondly on Cuba, a disaterous economic failure where people are no allowed basic democratic freedoms. It is thus useful to look at some of the major individuals who have influence social thought in the region.

Economic Failure

Latin America is one of the several world regions and while there are many similarities with the countries south of the Rio Grande, there are enormous difference from country to country. There has been less diversity in social thought. From the beginning of my study of the region as a young man, I was struck by the dichotomy betweem Nort America and Latin America. Both regions have enormous natural resources and came to be dominated by Europen powers at about the same time (actually Latin America) a century earlier. I wondered why North America developed so much more rapidly and successfully than South America. The differences were not as apparent in the 19th century. For a time it seemed like revolutionary movements with suceeded in achieving independence would create democratic republics that could achieve the same successes reported in America and Canada to the north. The Mexican-American War showed that the two republics were faroly evenly matched. The American victory was largely due to superior military leadership. The hopes of the liberal democrats who led the Latin American revolutions were dashed as military coups led to insability and a landed aristocracy resisted social reforms. More recently we see Argentina and Uruguay, two coutries on the cusp of achieving economic development fail. And than after World War II we note the Asian Tigers achieve impresive development while Latin Anmerica languashed and large numbers of its people attempt to migrate to North America. Today the implementation of free market ideas has become to make a difference in the regions lsrgest country--Brazil. Most countries, however, report little social progress. And many countrie (Bolivia, Cuba, Edcuador, Nicaraga, and Venezuela) seem intent on pursuing economic and political models that have failed whereever they have been tried. And one has to ask whu so many Latin Amnericans look so fondly on Cuba, a disaterous economic failure where people are no allowed basic democratic freedoms.

Reasons for Societal Failure

There is surely no one reason for Latin America's failure. And scholars have suggested a range of reasons. Many authors blame the region's colonial past for many of the modern problems. Here there are many elements of Spanoish and Portuguese rule that are identified. The Soanish and Portuguese came not seeking religious freedom, but rather in search of gold and other valuables. And colonial policy commonly focused on exploiting raw materials. Even to the modern day, Latin American econonomies are still largely dependent on exporting raw materials. The colonial powers also attempted to centralize governamve of a very diverse area. Others point to a anti-commercial Catholcism and associated aspects like the Inquisition. This helped turn Portugal and Spain into the backwater of Europe and also impacted Latin America. After independence, wars and political instability adversely affected the region. There were efforts to pursue the policiues of classcal liberalism (secular society, democracy, and free market capitalism) that brought prosperitt to Europe and North America). And despite some success, liberalism was generally abandones in the late-19th and early-20th century. As a result, after World war Ii in the later part of the 20th century, instead of closing the income gap with Europe and North nmerica, the gap widend. [Edwards]

Important Latin Americans Influencng Social Thpought

It is thus useful to look at some of the major individuals who have influence social thought in the region. These social analysts present a range of ideas and social outlook. There are several common themes. Perhapos the most consistent among them are anti-Americanism and various variants of scocialist thought. These of course are the same socialisy ideas that been proven to lead to economic failure and to retard job and ecomomic growth. Conspicuously absent are the clasical liberal ideas that have created prosperity in Europe and North America as well as now Asia as well. While political democracy is generally acceoted as important, there is very little support for free market capitalism among the major social commentators in Latin America.

Sources

Edwards, Sebastia. Left Behind.

Created: 5:05 AM 9/5/2011
Last updated: 5:05 AM 9/5/2011