This thesis explores Panama’s relations with the US and China, across history and more specifically in the 21st century, through a neorealist lens. Neorealist assumptions are applied to the case,...Show moreThis thesis explores Panama’s relations with the US and China, across history and more specifically in the 21st century, through a neorealist lens. Neorealist assumptions are applied to the case, and Panama’s bandwagoning and balancing strategies with the US and China are discussed as observed by historical trends and economic data such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), trade (Panamanian exports and imports from/to the US and China), foreign aid statistics, bilateral agreements, and diplomatic statements by high officials on economic and security issues. The study finds that China’s hegemonic rise in Panama-China relations represents merely an indication of China’s potential to be a long-term hegemonic challenger to US hegemony, and does not signify a shift in hegemony. Panama is seen to balance and bandwagon with both the US and China, choosing alignment depending on the perceived economic gains involved and potential threats to survival. Panama balances with their long-standing ally and regional hegemon, the US, to foremost secure survival in the long-term while in the short-term Panama bandwagons with China for economic gains. Panama’s consideration of China as alternative to the US as a greater power for alignment demonstrates China’s hegemonic character in LAC. Nonetheless, this case study shows that the US maintains its primacy and superiority as a hegemon due to its strong historical ties and yet unrivaled economic and military capacity.Show less
The decreased importance of the state, increased financialization, and growing power of multinationalcorporations have led to a shift of the responsibilities of the state, and a subsequent change...Show moreThe decreased importance of the state, increased financialization, and growing power of multinationalcorporations have led to a shift of the responsibilities of the state, and a subsequent change in the way in which different regimes legitimize their rule. The responsibilities of a regime, and the legitimacy it has are closely related in this regard. The research question that this thesis will aim to answer then is the following: "what is the influence of a regimes source of legitimacy on the responsibilities is has and the attitude the regime adopts vis-à-vis globalisation? For this purpose various theories on globalisation have been brought together in a theoretical model. This model is also tested and applied on Latin America in order to assess the relevance and applicability on non western economies.Show less
La migración nicaragüense hacia Costa Rica tiene una larga historia y su integración ha sido muy compleja. En esta investigación se pone atención a esta temática desde la perspectiva de la sociedad...Show moreLa migración nicaragüense hacia Costa Rica tiene una larga historia y su integración ha sido muy compleja. En esta investigación se pone atención a esta temática desde la perspectiva de la sociedad civil, en cuanto actor que ha recibido escasa atención. Se analizan las actividades desarrolladas por las mismas organizaciones de la sociedad civil, con atención particular al contacto intergrupal, y también en que manera la sociedad civil colabora con las instituciones en la formación de políticas públicas.Show less
This thesis focuses on community-based tourism (CBT) projects in Ecuador. The work discusses the grade of control that indigenous communities have in this form of ecotourism and also analyses the...Show moreThis thesis focuses on community-based tourism (CBT) projects in Ecuador. The work discusses the grade of control that indigenous communities have in this form of ecotourism and also analyses the empowerment of those groups in certain projects. This empowerment is often a result of foreign aid. Although indigenous communities often seem to be in control of CBT projects, empowerment is an issue in some cases.Show less
Latin America’s drug trafficking has been a number one priority for the United States (US) and Latin American countries. War on drugs has begun in 1980s and up to now has no end date. The US has...Show moreLatin America’s drug trafficking has been a number one priority for the United States (US) and Latin American countries. War on drugs has begun in 1980s and up to now has no end date. The US has united with Colombia for Plan Colombia (1999) to battle the drug trafficking, and then consolidated with Mexico to implement Merida Initiative to battle the Drug Trafficking organizations (narco-cartels). The US administration believed if it implemented Plan Colombia into the Merida Initiative, it would yield the same successful outcomes. It is debatable whether Plan Colombia was successful or not, since the fragmentation of cartels within Colombia has made them untraceable, and raw material cultivation has been moved to other countries such as Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. It is important to note that drug trafficking organizations depending on country, size and structure. Therefore, it is impossible for anti-drug enforcements to implemented initiatives without alterations in different settings and be expected to reach the same goals. Organized crime and drug trafficking organizations in Mexico have become considerably malicious, which was the reason for the conference between President Calderon of Mexico and US administration in 2006 for the implementation of Merida Initiative, aimed at putting an end to trafficking and organized crime. The war on drugs was militarized through the training of Mexican soldiers in the US and funded by the US and other countries. The effects of such anti-drug law enforcement plans were disappointing, to say the least, as it did not go as planned. This has led to increasing violence, fragmentation of drug cartels and unprecedented levels of police corruption. Therefore, this thesis examines the efficiency of Plan Colombia, as well as alternative explanations to its failure. These include economic and cultural causes leading to stability of drug supply from Mexico to match the rising demand of drugs in the US.Show less
