Latin American Politics

Catalog description

This introductory course on Latin American politics delves into the critical issues highlighted in the literature regarding the region's historical political developments while exploring the main theoretical approaches and concepts used to elucidate these events. The course spans Latin American history, seeking to identify the changes that occurred in different periods, the driving forces behind these changes, and their repercussions. It begins with an examination of colonialism and its enduring effects, progressing to the processes of independence and nation-building in the early 19th century. Subsequently, it explores the region's shift to capitalism, leading to oligarchic political regimes and liberal institutions (late 19th to early 20th centuries). The course then examines the era of early democratization, industrialization, and corporatism (1920s-60s), as well as the erosion of democracy and the ascent of authoritarianism throughout the region. Finally, it concludes with an exploration of more recent transitions to democracy, the persistent challenges of instability, weak rule of law, and violence, as well as debates about climate change and the environment.