The Positive And Negative Effects Of Industrialization In Latin America And The Caribbean

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Historical Background The roots of industrialization began in western Europe in the 18th century and spread to North America in the 19th century in which rural, agricultural societies shifted to a more industrial and urban society. The benefits of industrialization involve: an increase in accessibility and quantity of products with the help of advanced technological innovations, decrease in prices of products due to mass production of goods, an increase in the quality of living, efficient forms of transportation, rise in job opportunities and employment rates leading to a rise in economic growth, and an upsurge in world trade. However, the negative effects resulting from industrialization create detrimental issues that impact the whole globe. Industrial factories and automotives generate air, water, and land pollution that gradually affects the environment over time, …show more content…

With industrialization comes corruption within big businesses that benefits the upper class and exploited the working middle class and lower class. Latin America and the Caribbean have been influenced by its neighbor, the United States, and Britain to undergo industrialization and modernization of its major cities in the 20th century; however, the same positive and negative effects of industrialization still apply to Latin America and the Caribbean. Although modernization has improved the quality of life in the cities, it only benefits a small portion of the population. On average, wealthy elites make up only 1% of the population, the urban middle class makes up 8% of their populations, and the rest of the population continue to live in poverty. A majority of the lower class still live in rural areas that do not receive the same benefits as in the city, including accessibility, condition of living, and opportunity. Industrialization has not only caused alarming environmental issues that affect the international community, but it has also created inequalities and imbalances

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