There has been research on the phenomenon of ‘huachicol’, but it has not yet been analysed in direct relation with neoliberalism and the neoliberalization of Mexico. Assessing the crime and...Show moreThere has been research on the phenomenon of ‘huachicol’, but it has not yet been analysed in direct relation with neoliberalism and the neoliberalization of Mexico. Assessing the crime and violence in Mexico in relation to the theory of neoliberalism will add to the theoretical and societal knowledge on the socio-economic, political and security problems that such phenomena bring about. The guiding research question of this thesis is as follows: What does the case of Huachicoleros allow us to understand on the alleged connection between the violence and criminal activity in Mexico and its longstanding neoliberal economic policies (2000-2019)?Show less
Scholars widely agree on what mostly drives fast economic growth from the low-income (LI) level to the middle-income (MI) one. However, when it comes to jumping from the MI level to the high-income...Show moreScholars widely agree on what mostly drives fast economic growth from the low-income (LI) level to the middle-income (MI) one. However, when it comes to jumping from the MI level to the high-income (HI) one, things become far more complex, as severe growth slowdowns become more frequent. This phenomenon, namely: the ‘middle-income trap’ (MIT), refers to the inherent challenges MI countries face in order to reach the HI status. The MIT is present in many comparative studies and policy models as empirical evidence suggests there are shared difficulties present at this level of income, and although it is still an ambiguous and undefined concept, its potential usefulness to guide policy-making is unmistakable, since the idea of a trap can be understood as universally applicable for developing economies struggling to achieve sustainable growth. Three bodies of MIT literature and their respective prescribed set of policies are categorized and analyzed in this study to determine which one can best attributed to the unique and successful case of Chile.Show less
The present work aims at providing more insight into the complex nature of regionalism in Latin America. By determining three variables, presidential diplomacy, ideological convergence and the...Show moreThe present work aims at providing more insight into the complex nature of regionalism in Latin America. By determining three variables, presidential diplomacy, ideological convergence and the absence of regional hegemons, Latin American regional organizations will be assessed. The first chapter will provide an overview of the analytical tools deployed for this analysis. Subsequently, in the second chapter, historical trends will be established by considering the Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA) and the Andean Pact. Finally, the influence of the three variables on two contemporary regional organizations, the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur, will be analysed in the third chapter. The hypothesis directing this analysis is as follows: “Presidential diplomacy, ideological convergence and the absence of a regional hegemon have the potential of, or already have had, a negative influence on the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur’s stability and the achievement of their long-term objectives.”Show less
La Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (RSE) surge en la segunda mitad del siglo XX, en medio de las demandas por nuevas alternativas al desarrollo que buscaban solucionar el problema de la pobreza...Show moreLa Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (RSE) surge en la segunda mitad del siglo XX, en medio de las demandas por nuevas alternativas al desarrollo que buscaban solucionar el problema de la pobreza y los daños ambientales causados por las empresas en el proceso globalizador. Así, la RSE se define como la responsabilidad que asumen las empresas por sus impactos económicos, sociales y ambientales con respecto a sus grupos de interés. La RSE es un enfoque ético que apela a una actuación consciente y transparente de las empresas, tanto dentro como fuera de ella, que implica someterse a una rendición de cuentas. De este modo, constituye un factor diferenciador que permite beneficiar a la empresa y a la sociedad. La RSE, al estar estrechamente relacionada con el desarrollo sostenible, es un tema importante en el contexto rural ya que las personas dependen directamente de los recursos naturales y la mayoría de empresas que operan en este sector son extractivas, lo cual puede representar una amenaza para la población local. En el caso peruano, la agricultura y la minería son dos actividades importantes: la agricultura porque gran parte de la población rural depende de esta actividad y la minería porque genera importantes ingresos económicos para el país. Con las políticas neoliberales de los años 90, la expansión de las empresas permitió la promoción de la RSE, siendo las empresas mineras las que mayores intervenciones de RSE realizan en el sector rural. Ellas buscan crear oportunidades para mejorar la calidad de la población, como una manera de devolver los beneficios obtenidos es sus áreas de intervención. Sin embargo, las relaciones entre los diferentes actores sociales son complejas debido a los conflictos que se han producido por los impactos socioambientales. En este sentido, el objetivo central de esta investigación es determinar los alcances y potencialidades de las actividades de la RSE que se han ejecutado en el Perú para promover el desarrollo de las comunidades rurales en un marco de sostenibilidad.Show less
This thesis studies in depth a public policy in Chile called Plan de Prevención y Descontaminación Atmosférica para la Región Metropolitana (Prevention and Atmospheric Decontamination Plan for the...Show moreThis thesis studies in depth a public policy in Chile called Plan de Prevención y Descontaminación Atmosférica para la Región Metropolitana (Prevention and Atmospheric Decontamination Plan for the Metropolitan Region). The main objective of this study was to analyze which were the different communication and participation approaches between the Chilean Ministry of Environment and the different participating actors in the design, implementation and evaluation of this public policy. The conclusion of this study was that there is a disorganization between the Chilean State and the Chilean Ministry of Environment as well as within the ministry itself regarding this policy. Consequently, this generates a lack of coordination, leadership and resources that generates a less efficient and effective policy. This thesis also studies the presence of Embedded Autonomy, NIMBY and the Issue-Attention Cycle.Show less
En Chile, el sistema actual de acceso a la educación superior es determinado principalmente por los resultados de la PSU, lo cual es un sistema calificado por muchos como segregador y ya que...Show moreEn Chile, el sistema actual de acceso a la educación superior es determinado principalmente por los resultados de la PSU, lo cual es un sistema calificado por muchos como segregador y ya que reproduciría las desigualdades sociales. Por esta razón la USACH empezó a implementar el Programa Propedéutico que pretende que los estudiantes en contextos vulnerables que se destacan por sus méritos académicos (5%-10% superior en ranking durante la educación media) ingresen a la universidad sin considerar el puntaje de la PSU. Los objetivos de este estudio son visibilizar la situación actual, analizar la capacidad y la durabilidad del Propedéutico para reducir brechas sociales en el acceso a la educación superior y conocer la percepción al respecto de los participantes del programa. La investigación es de carácter cualitativo y analítico y se hizo a través de encuestas: por un lado a un grupo de estudiantes que recién ingresó al Propedéutico y y por otro lado un grupo que recién egresó del programa. Además, se realizaron entrevistas con individuos de dichos grupos y con varios académicos a cargo del programa. Los resultados indican que el programa es exitoso en mejorar la equidad en el acceso, en una escala moderada, para aquellos alumnos académicamente talentosos, independientemente de su condición socioeconómica.Show less
This thesis investigates the relation between political disaffection and the rise of non-institutionalized political participation among the Mexican youth in the case of the #YoSoy132 movement....Show moreThis thesis investigates the relation between political disaffection and the rise of non-institutionalized political participation among the Mexican youth in the case of the #YoSoy132 movement. Theory on political disaffection, social capital and political participation together with the modern political history of Mexico and the #YoSoy132 movement are extensively analysed in order to examine the following hypothesis: in the case of the #YoSoy132 movement, political disaffection resulted in an increasing desire among the youth to participate in politics in order to oppose the Mexican regime. Since these youngsters badly distrust political parties and institutions, they are seeking unconventional ways to engage in politics. By producing new forms of social capital, the movement was able to grow and exert influence and power on politics while staying on the side lines to not become part of the “bad” practices of the Mexican government.Show less
This research analyzes the experiences of transnational identity formation by Cuban-American migrant generations, cohorts and waves living in Miami, as well their cultural behaviours in Miami. The...Show moreThis research analyzes the experiences of transnational identity formation by Cuban-American migrant generations, cohorts and waves living in Miami, as well their cultural behaviours in Miami. The research is framed with reference to historical and contemporary contexts of the bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States.Show less
Research master thesis | Latin American Studies (research) (MA)
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In this thesis the objective is to understand why state-market relations change overtime and the main research question is: “How do changing state-market-relations influence the performance of the...Show moreIn this thesis the objective is to understand why state-market relations change overtime and the main research question is: “How do changing state-market-relations influence the performance of the Brazilian energy sector and what has been the impact of the different roles of the state on (national) growth and development since the First Republic until the Dilma Administration (1889-2016)?” The objective is to study which model leads to the development of an energy sector that can be used to accomplish broad-based national development. Furthermore, it would be quite interesting to analyse why policy changes occurs. The reason for the choice for energy is an obvious one as it is essential for economic development. Furthermore, energy resources, subsoil or offshore, such as coal, uranium, and oil and gas, and renewable energy resources such as biomass, wind-, solar-, and hydropower form a vital public good and should be provided at affordable prices even in remote areas. Therefore, the relation between development and state ownership of energy resources will be investigated. In this regard, the performance during the First Republic (1889-1930) will be analysed to study the impact of “liberalism”. In addition, the impact of “structuralism” (1930-1995) will be studied. Afterwards, the impact of “liberalization” (1995-2002) will be compared with “neo-structuralism” under the Workers Party (PT) (2003-2016). In this thesis is chosen for almost all energy resources to demonstrate that the same pattern takes place in all energy sectors, and thus, even in sectors that are considered strategic or sensitive such as nuclear energy. In addition, it shows that sectors such as wind and solar pose massive potential for energy generation in Brazil and that those sectors are remarkably underdeveloped in the country. The case study also demonstrates that government policy has proven to be necessary to provide incentives for investors to develop them and that currently government policy does not stimulate investment in those sectors. The expectation is that ideally to achieve national development and to develop new sectors the state should own and protect it while providing incentives for growth but that in practice state-market relations change to keep expanding the exploitation of energy resources in a changing global economic environment, and that outcomes reflect the relative bargaining power of local, state and multinational capital. The expectation in regard to the role of the state is that its function is to facilitate capital, and to coerce labour. Hence, to provide financial incentives and easy access for mostly foreign capital while the other role for the state seems to be the appeasement of different actors that have the potential capacity and will to oppose the expansion of foreign investment and exploitation of energy resources through the strategic use of stick and carrot in a changing global economic context.Show less
The thesis centers in the analysis of what would be the consequences or influences on the Brazilian state and the Brazilian society would be, by the privatization of security. It first analyzes the...Show moreThe thesis centers in the analysis of what would be the consequences or influences on the Brazilian state and the Brazilian society would be, by the privatization of security. It first analyzes the different elements of Private security. Elaborating on what Private Security involves, the difference between private and public security and illustrating the different factors that could stimulate the growth of Private Security. Moreover,it looks on the consumption of Private security. It analyzes the role of Private Security in Latin America, starting with the analysis of criminality and the falling of security, continuously looking at the influence of neoliberalism and the further expansion of Private security in the Latin American region. Lastly, it introduces the example of Brazil. It starts by elaborating on the actual Brazilian situation towards security ,then it analyzes the current debate on Private security in Brazil. The analysis of this debate is done by going through all of these before mentioned points.Show less
Given the impact of the actions carried out by world leaders and heads of State, it has always been of academic interest to elucidate what factors lead them to act in one way or another. With the...Show moreGiven the impact of the actions carried out by world leaders and heads of State, it has always been of academic interest to elucidate what factors lead them to act in one way or another. With the aim of finding convincing explanations for political behaviour, this work goes over the traditional International Relations approaches, pointing out their inadequacy for this case. Drawing on the contributions of Political Psychology and borrowing tools from Content Analysis this work proposes to look at the individual level, analysing the influence of personal traits on the political behaviour and on political outcomes in the case of Cristina Fernández's Argentina.Show less
La tesis tiene por objetivo analizar el problema público de la salud mental infanto-juvenil en la agenda del gobierno chileno entre 1990-2015, considerándose todo el período posterior a la...Show moreLa tesis tiene por objetivo analizar el problema público de la salud mental infanto-juvenil en la agenda del gobierno chileno entre 1990-2015, considerándose todo el período posterior a la Dictadura y de retorno a la democracia en el país, el cual está marcado por un nuevo enfoque hacía las políticas sociales y la consolidación de la reforma en salud mental. El enfoque utilizado fue el cualitativo y la técnica el análisis de contenido. El material de análisis corresponde a los Planes Nacionales de Salud Mental promulgados por el gobierno en 1993 y 2000, así como los discursos presidenciales ante el Congreso Pleno cada 21 de Mmayo entre 1990-2015. Los resultados permiten concluir que la definición de este problema público cuenta con baja atención y escaso éxito en la agenda institucional, a excepción de la agenda de salud mental donde ha sido definido como un problema prioritario. Existen, por sobre todo, una estructura organizacional en las políticas sociales que fijan limitaciones políticas, económicas, administrativas y mentales a la salud mental y a la infancia y juventud.Show less
