Essays and Research Papers on South America

A 5 page paper discussing ways in which the principles of nonviolent demonstration can call attention to and require negotiation of racial injustices that have been long institutionalized. Modern Peru holds the remains of colonial racial stratification as did the US in 1963 when Martin Luther King wrote "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" defending the use of the ...

This 5 page paper looks at Brazil, and the way in which aspects such as poverty and inequality may be solved. The paper considers the situation of Brazil and applies economic theory such as the multiplier effect and trickle down effect as well as considering the crowding out effect. This is then used to look ...

This 6 page paper looks at the military coup in 1973 in Chile and the way in which General Pinochet and his government followed a policy of violence and compares it with the Uruguayan guerrilla's in the early 1970's. The similarities and difference are discussed. The bibliography cites 7 sources.

This 7 page paper provides a generalized history of policing in Ecuador and in the United States, concluding with a review of a study done on community policing systems in the United States and a recommendation for Ecuador's emulation. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 6 page paper which discusses the history of the Panama Canal, and how it has gone back to Panamanian control. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page paper considers the decision of Chile to pursue trade relations and a formal trade agreement with the United States rather than join Mercosur. The paper considers the reasons behind this including those of potential as well as protection. The bibliography cites 7 sources.

This 14 page paper consider the monetary policy followed during this time by the governments of Argentina. Dividing the paper into three sections, 1960 – 1980, 1980- 1989 and 1989 – 200 the paper looks at the policy of money supply and the effects this has on the economy. The paper has seven graphs and ...

(8 pp) In her 1997 book, Eroding Military Influence in Brazil: Politicians Against Soldiers, Wendy Hunter examines the situation under the auspices of the "rational choice model." Because she claims that politicians are primarily interested in their own political survival, the rational choice model is an excellent measuring device for the shift towards ...

This 7 page paper provides an overview of Argentina's capital city. Many things are discussed including climate, transportation and nightlife. The composition of the people in respect to religion, language and ethnicity is also included. Bibliography lists 6 sources

An 8 page paper which discusses the variety of natural hazards that can be found in the country of Chile. The paper presents an examination of earthquakes tsunami, floods, and volcanoes. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 12 page report discusses the invasion of the European world to the “new” world that often took place under the guise of promoting Christianity and saving native people. “The Mission” captures the hopelessness and ultimate destruction that took place because of such domination. As the movie unfolds in truly remarkable cinemagraphic beauty (it won the Oscar for cinematography), it ...

A 5 page paper which discusses what is evident about the urban way of life as presented in the essay "The Myth of Racial Democracy in Brazil: A Problem of Social Mythology" by Emilia Viotti da Costa. No additional sources cited.

(5 pp) Attempting change is always difficult; and of course some clever soul said, the most difficult thing to change is ones ideas or belief system. That has certainly been true of the concept of "social democracy" in Brazil. Emilia Viotti da Costa examines that thought in an article entitled, "The Myth of ...

An 8 page overview of the “rational choice theory” proposed by this author in an attempt to explain the effect of Brazil’s democracy on the gradual erosion of military emphasis in favor of programs perceived by the masses to be in their best interests. Suggests that politicians make a rational decision to pursue the ...

An 8-oage paper comparing and contrasting Facundo by D.F. Sarmiento and Amalia by Jose Marmol. Describes the books' romanticism and realism. Lists 2 sources.

This 10 page paper considers the role of the economies in these two very different countries. The writer looks at the way in which the individual citizen may be seen as the servant of the economy, and the way in which the economy may be the servant of the people. This is then considered in ...

The ancient civilizations of Meso America are of utmost interest to modern students of archeology, history and, or, the behavioral sciences. This 6 page essay explores the similarities and differences between these cultures in art, religion, agriculture and organization.

A paper which looks at the international ramifications of the Falklands war, in terms of the way in which it affected both Britain and Argentina and their respective status within the global community.

This 6 page report discusses the social hierarchies -- gender, ethnicity, class -- of colonial Latin America. The social histories of nations throughout Latin America provide important insights on the intricate nature of political and cultural groups of a colonial society. As a result, those insights contribute substantially to the reexamination of relationships of power and popular culture in colonial Latin America ...

A 10 page paper which examines why Juan Domingo Peron and Eva Peron were either powerfully hated or powerfully loved and admired. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 5 page report discusses the film “Magical Death,” produced by anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon and ethnographic filmmaker Timothy Asch. Magical Death, made in 1973, portrays Yanomami shamans causing a trance through taking psycho-active drug “ebene.” They do this in order to be able to contact their spirit helpers or “hekura” for assistance and guidance in times of sickness or adversity. Bibliography ...

This 10 page report discusses the idea of “illiberal” democracy and how in nations throughout the world, democratic elections are held and then pointed to as examples of the democratization of the country. Such systems are those which claim to be democracies but are actually a hybrid in which political liberties exist but civil liberties are limited. The rule of the ...

12 pages in length. South America's silver mining from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries paved the way for future economic, political and social progress for Spanish Colonists. While the discovery of this precious metal prompted such adventurers as Juan de Oñate, New Mexico's first governor, it also set a precedent with regard to ...

A 5 page paper discussing Chile's economy and outlook for the future. As has been the case in so much of South America, Chile's economy has been uncertain for decades. Less certain at some times than at others, the country has made a consistent and concerted effort to build a sustainable export-driven economy ...

A 7 page paper discussing Chile's economy and outlook for the future as conditions existed under the Allende and Pinochet governments, and under the democratic government of today. In recent years, the country has made a consistent and concerted effort to build a sustainable export-driven economy since the first days of NAFTA and continues ...