With Raúl Castro taking over as president in 2008, the country has seen economic reform. Raúl allowed for Cubans to buy cars and houses and Cubans were allowed to work for themselves as...Show moreWith Raúl Castro taking over as president in 2008, the country has seen economic reform. Raúl allowed for Cubans to buy cars and houses and Cubans were allowed to work for themselves as entrepreneurs. With these alterations in the economy the question has risen in the international community whether Cuba will transition to a free market economy. The thesis will analyse Poland and China and will compare this to Cuba in order to come to a conclusion.Show less
The field of environmental protection has experienced attention in the global political economy. Brazil is a key player in environmental protection and developed various effective measures to...Show moreThe field of environmental protection has experienced attention in the global political economy. Brazil is a key player in environmental protection and developed various effective measures to mitigate degradation of the environmentShow less
Venezuela has one of the largest oil resource in the world and the oil sector is one of the most prone sectors to corruption. As the Corruption Perception Index shows is the level of corruption in...Show moreVenezuela has one of the largest oil resource in the world and the oil sector is one of the most prone sectors to corruption. As the Corruption Perception Index shows is the level of corruption in Venezuela also one of the highest of Latin America. In this thesis the level of influence of corruption on the resource curse will be assessed, specifically looking at the case study of Venezuela during the Bolivarian Revolution of Hugo Chávez. First, a theoretical framework is created in order to understand the relation between corruption and the resource curse. Second, a contextualization is provided through analyzing the Punto Fijo Pact which preceded the Hugo Chávez government. In this chapter increasing dissatisfaction of the Venezuelan population is shown, which together with the Caracazo massacre, created a platform for Hugo Chávez to gain power and popularity. In the third chapter, the theoretical framework will be applied to Chávez’s Venezuela and its consequences. Whereas the theoretical framework suggests that the resource curse is strengthened by corruption and thus will prevent a country with an abundant resource from developing, the case of Venezuela appears to be have proved the contrary. After analyzing the resource curse in Venezuela it shows that even though an abundant resource is present and corruption is still increasing, the oil revenues have allowed Hugo Chávez to fund several new socioeconomic programs which largely have benefitted the Venezuelan development.Show less
This study involves the idea of citizen security to the community policing projects in Rio de Janeiro called the UPP. In the discussion of security a Western lens is used in most studies, whereas...Show moreThis study involves the idea of citizen security to the community policing projects in Rio de Janeiro called the UPP. In the discussion of security a Western lens is used in most studies, whereas in the case of Latin America there is not a sense of public security, but rather citizen security. This study tries to examine how citizen security has been effected through the UPP projects. This is done through the theories of citizenship, police-citizenship relationships, and community policing.Show less
This thesis will thoroughly analyze the development of the Mexican economy since its market reform to see whether these reforms have led to the expected growth rates in exports, and – more...Show moreThis thesis will thoroughly analyze the development of the Mexican economy since its market reform to see whether these reforms have led to the expected growth rates in exports, and – more importantly - whether this export growth has translated into better living conditions, as neoclassical theory suggests it would. By testing the premises of neoclassical theory, this thesis explores whether a developing country integrating into the global economy might need different policies than those countries that have already established a strong position in the world market. This, in turn, could reveal the underlying structures that hinder Latin American countries – Mexico, in particular – to achieve long-term, stable growth rates in a neoliberal international order.Show less
Dictated by economic traits of progress via free trade agreements and profit-driven capitalism, the global paradigm of Neoliberalism has become the dominant framework of economic development in...Show moreDictated by economic traits of progress via free trade agreements and profit-driven capitalism, the global paradigm of Neoliberalism has become the dominant framework of economic development in Latin America since the 90s (Hojman 194). Neoliberalism is a revival of economic liberalism in which government intervention is disapproved within economic sectors, and free and self-regulating competitive markets and the development of capitalist societies are promoted (Thorsen and Lie 2). Introduced in 1989, The Washington Consensus is seen as the template for Latin America’s engagement with neoliberalism. It is as well, an indication of the vast expansion of the ‘USA model’ of economic progress by powerful international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (Grugel and Riggirozzi 4). The neoliberal model was implemented via free market open economy policies (FMOEP), guided by the objective of economic decentralisation. Conditions for private profitability were established, cutting back the central role of the state within the economic sectors (Geddes 3151). Within the agricultural sphere, Neoliberalism aims for a system in which the control in agricultural production and resources happens via private corporations via profit-driven interests. This contrasts with the prior agricultural model of Keynesian economics, in which state power dominates within the agricultural sector, via the control and active role in the production process (Miyake 380). The spread of neoliberal agrarian reforms in Latin America promoted the framework of international trade and free trade, leading to the birth of the Global Farm Model within Latin America. Following the ideology of Neoliberalism, trade embargoes are portrayed as a restrictive factor on economic progress within the agricultural sector of a country (Betancourt 175). Within the context of Neoliberal expansion, Cuba is an unique exception within the region of Latin America, as it followed an alternative path to agricultural development, away from a neoliberal agricultural model. For more than 50 years, the United States (US) has imposed an economic, commercial, and social embargo against Cuba. This makes Cuba an interesting case study, in the broader context of Latin America and the dominance of Neoliberalism. Within the current ideology of agricultural development, climate change, and environmental degradation, the issue of sustainability has gained momentum in the agricultural sector. Looking through the lens of sustainable agricultural development, this brings the paper to the following research question: What are the economic, social, and environmental impacts of Neoliberalism versus Cuban-style policies on sustainable agricultural systems?Show less
This thesis will focus on the Piquetero movement as pioneers when it comes to the co-optation of a social movement into the governmental sphere. It analyzes the historical development of the...Show moreThis thesis will focus on the Piquetero movement as pioneers when it comes to the co-optation of a social movement into the governmental sphere. It analyzes the historical development of the movement between 1996 and 2016 and with that, focuses on the concepts of clientelism and patronage politics. Finally, it will conclude on the co-optation of the movement with regard to the reachability of their goals.Show less
This thesis addresses the issue of return migration of Mexican adults from the United States to Mexico 2007-2015. In this period more people where returning to Mexico than going to the U.S. It is...Show moreThis thesis addresses the issue of return migration of Mexican adults from the United States to Mexico 2007-2015. In this period more people where returning to Mexico than going to the U.S. It is discussed what are the reasons given by immigrants for their return and what influence the financial crisis of 2008 had on return migration.Show less
This thesis analyses alternative forms of governance to manage land conflict and criminal violence in the Ixil region in Guatemala. Under conditions of weak state presence, European-centric...Show moreThis thesis analyses alternative forms of governance to manage land conflict and criminal violence in the Ixil region in Guatemala. Under conditions of weak state presence, European-centric governance approaches have been sceptical about governance in countries with a weak institutional culture and precarious democracy. However, on pointing out the democratic stance governance should achieve, they have overlooked alternative forms of order and the contribution of (non)state actors on the provision of services. In an attempt to solve this dilemma, this thesis proposes to broad the notion of governance to understand “who governs for whom, and how are governance services provided under the conditions of weak statehood?” (Risse 4). The study suggests looking at how are (non)state actors related to each other in the sense that they provide services otherwise not provided by the state. Based on a study of the Ixil region, this thesis describes operations and practices amongst an array of (non)state actors that work and cooperate, separately and together, for the provision of services through arrangements we characterise as ‘alternative governance’.Show less
How did the illegalization of paramilitarism together with other government policies contribute to the accumulation of power of these organisations in the period of 1989-199? Is the research...Show moreHow did the illegalization of paramilitarism together with other government policies contribute to the accumulation of power of these organisations in the period of 1989-199? Is the research question of this thesis. The main actors to be identified and discussed are the paramilitaries and the state.Show less
After the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro installed an anti-western, one-party communist system. In Castro’s 'Speech to Intellectuals' in 1961 he spoke the famous words: “within the Revolution,...Show moreAfter the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro installed an anti-western, one-party communist system. In Castro’s 'Speech to Intellectuals' in 1961 he spoke the famous words: “within the Revolution, everything goes; outside the Revolution, nothing”. In the cultural sector this meant that artists, intellectuals, and writers had the freedom to express themselves, as long as it was in line with Castro’s ideology. I will look at the effect of this statement in the art world, taking the performance Tatlin’s Whisper #6 and its re-staging #YoTambienExijo by the Cuban artist Tania Bruguera as case studies. This thesis concludes that Cuban culture is used for two extremes: as political propaganda by Castro and as tool for political critique by Bruguera.Show less
With arrival of many Chinese companies in LAC following an increase in trade between both regions, the literature has identified several difficulties the Chinese companies are facing when...Show moreWith arrival of many Chinese companies in LAC following an increase in trade between both regions, the literature has identified several difficulties the Chinese companies are facing when attempting to adapt their organizational culture to the Latin American context. By studying the cases of three Chinese firms operating in Brazil and Argentina, this thesis found very limited evidence of objectives being set by the firms aiming to close the cultural gap between both cultures. Only Huawei and ICBC Brazil displayed some consideration of the GLOBE dimensions. Findings suggest that cultural intelligence is not being employed to better cross-cultural mediation between the Chinese subsidiaries and their local workforce.Show less
Extractive industry in Peru is accompanied by significant challenges when it comes to public policy. This research provides an understanding of the problematics of the extractive industry with...Show moreExtractive industry in Peru is accompanied by significant challenges when it comes to public policy. This research provides an understanding of the problematics of the extractive industry with regards to social and environmental interests and priorities to be set for public policy in general. My research question is: To what extend does Peru’s public policy determine the ability to create sustainable development in the mining industry? I will answer this question through means of the following sub questions: ‘How did public policy develop throughout the 80s and 90s in Peru?’ and ‘What has been the impact of public policy on the mining industry, the environment and local communities?’.Show less
The indigenous civil society organisation 'Las Abejas de Acteal' has been working towards better living conditions for the rural indigenous population of Chiapas for 25 years. This thesis analyses...Show moreThe indigenous civil society organisation 'Las Abejas de Acteal' has been working towards better living conditions for the rural indigenous population of Chiapas for 25 years. This thesis analyses the efforts made by the Abejas in the domains of preservation of culture, land distribution and promoting peace and social cohesion. By approaching the organisation as an active shaper of the local reality, this thesis transcends the established image of the Abejas as a mere political activist group. The coffee cooperative 'Maya Vinic' serves as a case study to illustrate the tangible impact the Abejas are making in the lives of Chiapas’ rural population.Show less
This thesis aims to analyze the, effects of Regional Integration and Security Cooperation in dealing with drug trafficking in CARICOM from 2000 to 2010. The Caribbean, is annually devastated by the...Show moreThis thesis aims to analyze the, effects of Regional Integration and Security Cooperation in dealing with drug trafficking in CARICOM from 2000 to 2010. The Caribbean, is annually devastated by the ever increasing influx of drug related crimes in its region, thus preventing the successful development of regional integration and security cooperation. Through the presentation of two case studies on Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, a clear portrayal is given on the existing conditions of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, as well as, the actions taken by the respective governments and CARICOM. The approach of analysis in these thesis was exhibited in three chapters presenting the theoretical contextualization of the topic, a historical timeline of regional integration and security cooperation in Latin America and finally, the in depth discussion between the two case studies. The conclusions addressed in this thesis pointed out, that domestic corruption in governance, misalignment of interests between the member states, ineffective institutional practices and a complex geographical disposition lead to a daunting problem in which, drug trafficking is flourishing almost uncontrollably.Show less
Because Kirchner was elected in a time of political disenchantment, it was necessary for him to show his worth and respond to the population’s demands. The realm of human rights violations was a...Show moreBecause Kirchner was elected in a time of political disenchantment, it was necessary for him to show his worth and respond to the population’s demands. The realm of human rights violations was a grand opportunity to revive political interest and gain legitimacy in Argentina. In such a context, Kirchner’s democratic “Republica” should have been exemplary in the respect of human rights, or so was thought. Several articles and CELS reports have shown that human rights violations still occurred under Kirchner. However, this information seems to be mostly disregarded in Argentina considering that Kirchner is still the most popular president in the country’s history (Manzetti, 176). In the hope of understanding how this dissonance came to be, this piece will assess how Kirchner’s human rights discourse allowed him to deal with past human rights violations while avoiding scrutiny for present ones.Show less
Domestic violence is a large problem in Mexico. In Latin America, this is largely considered to be a cultural issue. Ideas about gender identity, femininity, and masculinity are still influenced by...Show moreDomestic violence is a large problem in Mexico. In Latin America, this is largely considered to be a cultural issue. Ideas about gender identity, femininity, and masculinity are still influenced by machismo and marianismo. Gender roles can be perceived to be quite traditional in Mexico and the rest of Latin America. The media can impact someone’s identity and their behavior. Stereotypical and sexist representations can therefore influence the perpetuation of violent behavior. The media considered here are magazine advertisements from contemporary Mexican magazines.Show less
