Transcript 48x36 Poster Template

A Comprehensive Approach: Poverty, Politics, and Social
Conflict in Latin America: A Work in Progress
Marcelo A. Ostria, International Studies, College of Arts and Sciences and Honors College
Faculty Mentor: Aaron W. Navarro, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences
Quick Facts about Poverty in Latin America
•There are approximately 534 million people living in
the Latin American/Caribbean area.
•Of these,132 million live on less than $2 a day.
•57 million live on less than $1 a day.
Abstract
Crisis in Argentina: What went wrong?
This investigative project is designed to study the correlations between poverty, politics, and social conflict in Latin
America. The uneven distribution of wealth is thought to be one of the core issues affecting poverty rates and social
tension in these countries. If governments across Latin America are able to successfully implement policies that are
designed to sustain economic downturns and reform income distribution so that income is equitable among the social
and working classes, then it will be possible to tackle the high rates of poverty and social conflicts that are persistent
in this region. In addition, entire governmental systems in this area are at risk due to the persistence of these
problems. Assistance on regulation enforcement from international entities and organizations can assuage the
problem and provide viable prospects to diminish the risks affecting political sovereignty and democratically oriented
systems, an ongoing dilemma that is on the increase in Latin America.
•The Argentinean crisis of 2001-2002 exemplifies the
economic, social, and political turmoil that can occur
out of failed economic governmental policies.
• Due to Argentina’s history of expansionary economic
policies and high inflation rates, the government,
during the 1990’s, implemented a fixed exchange rate
to the U.S. dollar intended to be a stabilizing force to
the economy.
• After an erroneous implementation of a fixed
exchange rate, the Argentinean economy could no
longer sustain the government’s substantial spending
and the country’s exports became more expensive
relative to its imports.
Latin America: Social Conflict & Poverty
Income Inequality
•A significant gap in income exists between the upper
and lower class. A World Bank research team
investigating inequality in the area found that:
•Unemployed protesters took to the streets of Buenos Aires
“the richest one-tenth of the population of Latin
America and the Caribbean earn 48 percent of total
income, while the poorest tenth earn only 1.6
percent.”
•The statistic stated above shows that there is a
significant problem with the way income is distributed
in this region. In fact, Latin America is one of the most
unequal income regions in the world.
•The same World Bank research team found that in
modern times as in the early colonial periods, elite
populations shaped institutions and policies to serve
their interests first.
•The result of this economic failure caused millions of
Argentineans to lose their jobs and live in extreme
poverty, which resulted in massive riots, violence, and
high levels of tension and uncertainties for the
country’s future.
Latin America: Is there hope for the future?
Above: Latin American region (Left), illustration depicting current poverty conditions (top right) and recent social conflict
in Bolivia (bottom right).
References
Dion, M. (2007). Poverty, inequality, policy and politics in Latin America. [Electronic version] Latin American Research
Review, Vol. 42, 186-190.
Helwege, A. (Fall 1995). Poverty in Latin America: back to the abyss? Journal of Interamerican Studies and World
Affairs, Article 2. Retrieved February 17, 2008, from
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3688/is_199510?pnum=13&opg=n8715832
Sachs, J. D. (1989). Social conflict and populist policies in Latin America. National Bureau of Economic Research.
Retrieved February 16, 2008, from http://ideas.repec.org/p/nbr/nberwo/2897.html
POSTER TEMPLATE BY:
www.PosterPresentations.com
• The situation is improving - Latin America is
experiencing high economic growth as demand for its
products increases.
•The question is whether governmental economic
policies will be able to sustain stability or if they will
continue to fall into the macroeconomic expansionary
policies that create hyperinflation, have no effective
equitable income programs, and implement
questionable governmental targeted spending.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the following individuals:
Dr. Wendy Wilkins, Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs
Dr. Gloria Cox, Dean, Honors College
Dr. Warren Burggren, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
and especially my mentor,
Dr. Aaron W. Navarro, Department of History.