The Guide To The Perfect Latin American Idiot is a book that is written in a fun and upbeat tone to address social and cultural issues, as well as, the issues of political ideas and economic problems in Latin America. The “idiot” blames the lack of development and failures in Latin America on the United States and other foreign influences. The idiot blames the polarization of rich versus poor; citing that Latin Americans are poor because those in the United States and Europe are rich. They blame every ill in Latin America on some other source or nation and take no accountability for the ills of their land. The authors of this book have crafted a wonderful masterpiece that incorporates how the idiot moves through the “universe of politics, …show more content…
This title lays the ground for the argument that our “idiot” makes for blaming richer countries for the failures in Latin America—“the blame for what happens to us is never our own” The authors point out that it is easier to be a perpetual victim than it is to take ownership; they also cite that Marx would have no way endorsed this theory—“few men so vigorously sung the modernizing glory of capitalism as Marx. It would never have occurred to the intellectual father of the cult against the rich that Latin America’s poverty was directly proportional to, and caused by, the wealth of the United States or Europe.” Western values are not the open gate for problems in Latin America. The trade industry creates a boom in society; which, as a result creates urban centers, popular culture, and a rise of the middle class. The rise of urbanization also created problems in Latin America, spawning the movement of liberation theology, based on the argument that “the divisions of labor among nations is that some specialize in winning and others in losing.” …show more content…
Instead of using the market economy as a negative, they spin this concept into a positive light. The authors consistently refer back to the fact that Latin Americans use their norther counterparts to blame for the economic and political problems that consistently and continually surround their nations. The authors could do more in a way of offering solutions; however, this book was written in a manner to address the issues of progress, Marxism, and liberalism, along with the major problem of capitalism. The author’s view of the protagonist (idiot) encompasses his devotion and worship of stereotypes, popular trends, affection, and envy. Though the authors use much humor in the book it should not denote the seriousness of the topics or issues concerning Latin America. The books allows readers to digest the serious issues described; such as, poverty, social injustice, political squabbles, and other grim realities with a sense of lightheartedness. Like many other forms of communication, these three authors use their talent to gracefully discuss issues that inspire much debate and disagreement. The book inspires debate, but with a sense of intellect versus
Models for post-revolutionary Latin American government are born of the complex economic and social realities of 17th and 18th century Europe. From the momentum of the Enlightenment came major political rebellions of the elite class against entrenched national monarchies and systems of power. Within this time period of elitist revolt and intensive political restructuring, the fundamental basis for both liberal and conservative ideology was driven deep into Latin American soil. However, as neither ideology sought to fulfill or even recognize the needs or rights of mestizo people under government rule, the initial liberal doctrine pervading Latin American nations perpetuated racism and economic exploitation, and paved the way for all-consuming, cultural wars in the centuries to come.
Time and rules have been transforming countries in many ways; especially, in the 1850’s and the 1920’s, when liberals were firmly in control across Latin American region. Liberalism can be defined as a dominant political philosophy in which almost every Latin American country was affected. A sense of progress over tradition, reason over faith, and free market over government control. Although each country was different, all liberals pursued similar policies. They emphasize on legal equality for all citizens, progress, free trade, anti-slavery, and removing power from church. Liberals declared promising changes for Latin American’s future. But Latin America had a stronger hierarchical society with more labor systems, nothing compare to the United States societies. Liberals weren’t good for Latin America. What I mean by “good” is the creation of a turning point or some type of contribution towards success. I define “good” as beneficial or helpful. The Latin American economy was stagnant between 1820 and 1850 because of independence wars, transportation and the recreation of facilities. I describe this era as, “the era when Latin America when off road”.
Mexico’s political and economic stability from 1940-1982 can be well understood by looking at one of Sergio’s televisions. In Mexican Lives, Judith Adler Hellman introduces the reader to Sergio Espinoza, a businessman who once employed some 700 workers to produce televisions, stereos and sound systems. His televisions’ high production costs, low quality, high prices and inaccessibility to the poor sketch a rough microcosm of the period from 1940-1982 by laying bare the inefficiencies of import substitution industrialization and the vast inequalities in Mexico. From 1940-82, economic growth and stability came at the expense of social justice and political pluralism. In particular, the Mexican campesinos, the backbone of the revolutionary Zapatista uprising, suffered from the economic development model and from the PRI’s ability to muzzle dissent.
...a of Latin America: The Age of Globalization 3 (2010). Modern World History Online. Web. 11 May 2014.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the cultural and societal foundations were laid for the newly formed nations of the America. Both José Enrique Rodó and Jose Marti made large contributions to the development of Latin America through their literature. Both sought to improve and encourage the people of The America’s, however it is Jose Marti who truly succeeds in inspiring a national pride in his writing Our America.
Burns, E. B., & Charlip, J. A. (2007). Latin America: an interpretive history (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall.
...nuel Antonio, Newman, Edward. Democracy in Latin America: (Re)Constructing Political Society. The United Nations University Press, 2001. New York, N.Y.
Mignolo, W. D. (2005). The Idea of Latin America (pp. 1-94). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
Coerver, Don M., and Linda B. Hall. Tangled Destinies: Latin America & The United States. Albuquerque: The University of New Mexico Press, 1999.
Mignolo, W. D. (2005). The Idea of Latin America (pp. 1-94). Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
The political power has had enormous affect to the Latin American economy. Most of the countries in the Latin America remained colonies for over a long period of time; therefore, they were controlled by the Europeans power. These colonies never thought of development of the Latin American countries, rather all wealth from the colonies was taken out to the home country. This situation is similar to other colonized continents such as Asia and Africa. Almost every colonized country in the world is still in the process of development. These countries were never benefited economically from the colonizers. Therefore, the historic imperialism is still harming countries in the Latin America as well as they are still underdeveloped. According to Marxist theory “The colonies were used as places to invest surplus capital and sell goods from the colonizing countries and as sources of cheap raw materials and cheap labor.”(P165) Therefore, the investors will always get high benefits from their investment; however, the raw materials will get low prices for it. Hence, still Latin American countries face various problems due to the excessive use of natural resources and due to late from the Europeans
Mexican Lives is a rare piece of literature that accounts for the human struggle of an underdeveloped nation, which is kept impoverished in order to create wealth for that of another nation, the United States. The reader is shown that the act of globalization and inclusion in the world’s economies, more directly the United States, is not always beneficial to all parties involved. The data and interviews, which Hellman has put forth for her readers, contain some aspect of negativity that has impacted their lives by their nation’s choice to intertwine their economy with that of the United States. Therefore it can only be concluded that the entering into world markets, that of Mexico into the United States, does not always bring on positive outcomes. Thus, one sees that Mexico has become this wasteland of economic excrement; as a result it has become inherently reliant on the United States.
Burns, Bradford E. Latin America: A Concise Interpretive History. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, 2002.
“Liberals believed in free markets and where made up of many industry leaders.” (Class Discussion). A foreign consumer of banana’s on the other hand wouldn’t agree with this theory of Latin American superiority and patriotism. This character would believe it is a good thing that foreign countries are exploiting Latin America because he is purchasing the product. “Without these companies, we wouldn't have bananas.” (Class Discussion) These consumers believe that there is no harm being done and possibly it is actually good thats being done to the Latin American economy. Distinctively from these characters listed above, Jose Marti would one hundred percent agree with Calle 13’s “latinoamerica.” In Jose Marti’s “Our America” he explains how Latin Americans must not show weakness but patriotism, that they should be proud to be Latinos, and that hard work is the only way to move forward. In “Our America” Jose Marti states: “Those without faith in their country are seven-month weaklings. Because they have not courage, they deny it to the others.” This is a direct attack to those who lack patriotism and are not proud to be Latin American, he states that they are the weak link. This idea directly correlates to what Calle 13 portrays in
Reflecting back on the statement historian Jaime E. Rodriguez gave on the impact that independence had on the people of Latin America. “The emancipation of [Latin America] did not merely consist of separation from the mother country, as in the case of the United States. It also destroyed a vast and responsive social, political, and economic system that functioned well despite many imperfections.” I believe that the eagerness to get rid of slaves