Posted on 15 April 2012.
Òðè áîãàòûðÿ íà äàëüíèõ áåðåãàõ ôèëüì
Almost 2 centuries have passed since Latin American countries gained their independence from Spain and Portugal. Oscar Arias in “Culture Matters: the Real Obstacles to Latin American Development” of Foreign Affairs 90.1 (July 2011) examines the real reasons why Latin American countries are not developed, despite starting off equal and even better off than us. This article builds on the 4 reasons Arias gives, by including Latin American countries’ arguments as well as other research.
1. Resistance to Change:
Arias argues that Latin American countries glorify the past, which is hard if not impossible to change. Moreover, they are interested in preserving their status-quo which does not fit room for culture of improvement. Arias lastly cites a weak leader as the reason for this resistance to the change.
2. Fragile Democracy:
Arias believes that the democracy in Latin American countries in unstable. They reached their independence hoping to leave the clutches of a tyrant. However, in the 20th and 21st century, countries faced tyrants. These tyrants were elected through democratic means, but when in power did whatever they wanted.
3. No Confidence:
Arias also believes that there is no confidence amongst the countries. They are increasingly suspicious, wary of creativity and doubt their politicians and their abilities.
4. Militarism-Soft Spot:
Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Guatemala all had military leaders who were tyrants. This has prevented the countries from developing, sometimes putting them in a backward motion. This was especially the case with Agustus Pinochet.
Almost all Latin American countries are in immense debt. Arias argues that there is no ongoing conflicts in the region, except in Colombia. However, the region still spends $60 billion on arms and soldiers. Costa Rica took the first initiative to declare peace by not spending any money on arms and soldiers.