Although neoliberalism has remained the major economic strategy for post- Pinochet governments, in the 1990s it was sought to be combined with a liberal democracy and an increased decentralization....Show moreAlthough neoliberalism has remained the major economic strategy for post- Pinochet governments, in the 1990s it was sought to be combined with a liberal democracy and an increased decentralization. In general, pronounced effects of both neoliberalism and decentralization is a change in the approach to governance. With the drastic attitudes of states toward the economy and social-policy making caused by neoliberal reform, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have become actors of increasing importance. Subsequently, worldwide decentralization trends, most notably in the 1990s, have moved NGOs to assume new roles as active social service-deliverers and co-workers of development. When looking at Chile, major political shifts occurred with its return to democracy. Nonetheless, the neoliberal model implemented under Pinochet has always stayed. As such, the era of the dictatorial regime vis-à-vis shows both similarities and contrasts. Comparing both areas, this thesis examines to what degree the Chilean state’s governance approach changed under its return to democracy, focusing on how NGO-state relations have changed and what roles were assumed by NGOs.Show less
In the past decades, the government of the Republic of Colombia was doomed to face various impediments during attempts to catalyze socio-economic progress. The attempts succeeded on various fields...Show moreIn the past decades, the government of the Republic of Colombia was doomed to face various impediments during attempts to catalyze socio-economic progress. The attempts succeeded on various fields as the drug industry and guerrilla violence. Notwithstanding, while the Republic of Colombia gains entrée to economic growth and stability, impediments to a distinct field are faced, it regards the offer of qualitative public education to the citizens of the Republic of Colombia. To explain, in the intertwined unequal dimensions of education across many nations, the public education of the Republic of Colombia is known to be falling short of funds, enrolment, quality, access, and even adequate labor conditions. Due to inadequate government spending, corruption and complex to reach rural zones in Colombia. Which resulted in the development of a clear gap between public and private education in Colombia. Therefore, the thesis will consider the conditions of public and private primary education in terms of quality, financing, and quality before the implementation of neo-liberal policies in the 1990’s (Blasco 2010, 37) and the current conditions of public and private primary education in terms of financing, enrolment and quality after the implementation of the neoliberal policies (decentralization) from 1990 to 2018.Show less
The rise of awareness on environmental issues has led to a shift from traditional development towards sustainable development, which includes environmentalism. Sustainable development has been...Show moreThe rise of awareness on environmental issues has led to a shift from traditional development towards sustainable development, which includes environmentalism. Sustainable development has been highly debated among countries at several UN conferences dating back to the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992. The most recent global agreement is embodied in the Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, which is a climate agreement within the framework of sustainable development. However, the main problem of global treaties is that it is hard to satisfy all parties. The Paris Agreement includes developed and developing countries, which both have different concerns and ideas on development in general. Consequently, developing countries have come up with their own local alternatives towards sustainable development for instance Buen Vivir in Ecuador. Buen Vivir, often translated as ‘Good Life’ in English, is an Ecuadorian form of eco-politics included in Ecuador’s constitution in 2008, based on the indigenous concept of Sumak Kawsay. This paper will make a comparative analysis between the global approach (the Paris Agreement) and the local approach (Buen Vivir) in order to examine which of the two alternatives form a more feasible way for Ecuador towards sustainable development. The paper concludes that even though both approaches have their flaws, the local approach is more in line with the objectives of sustainable development in the case of Ecuador.Show less
