Contemporary Latin America
JPM198
Winter semester 2023/2024
Lectures and seminars: Thursday, 11:00- 12:30

Lecturer: PhDr. Malvína Krausz Hladká,Ph.D.
e-mail: hladka@fsv.cuni.cz
Consultation time: Thursday 13:00 -14:00, in person or online (email contact first)

Course Description

Subject Aims and Objectives:

The subject: Contemporary Latin America selectively covers the politics, regional organizations and international role of South America. This course provides an introduction to the development and current context of politics in Latin America as well as to theoretical approaches to democracy and development used in political science. It includes case studies of Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Major themes include the issues of political and economic reform, social crisis and transformation, challenges to democratization, and the emerging role of economic regionalism, driven by organizations such as Mercosur, NAFTA and the FTAA. New foreign and security policies are also assessed, looking forward to the region's needs in the 21st century.
How important was the "Washington Consensus" in influencing economic reforms in Latin America during the 90?s? Were there alternatives to what was done? What was responsible for economic crisis and increasing poverty: the reforms, or the lack such reforms? The answers to these (and many other) questions should by found, or at least analyzed during the semester. The course will also explore alternatives for the future.
Attendance:

All students, whether or not they are giving a presentation, are expected to prepare so that they can participate fully in the subsequent discussion of the topic. Participation in seminar discussions is required. Students are expected to attend 70% of seminars.

F i n a l E x a m:
Final exam accounts for 70% of the total grade.
Final exam questions/topics will be carefully chosen from all course lectures, seminar topics, required reading and presentations.
In case of absence, the student has to provide the lecturer with a substantial reason (illness etc.) in advance (see the lecturer´s e-mail above).

Assessment

Assessment will be based on one oral presentation and final exams: Final exam (90 min).

The final grade for MA students is a combination of the following items:
Presentation: 30%
Final exam: 70%

A brief course overview

October, 5, 2023
Introduction to the course, requirements. Topisc for presenting, course overview

October 12, 2023:
Introduction to Latin America
An Introduction to Latin America in the Global System: Places and Themes

October 19, 2023:

Deepening Democracy

From Colonisation to Nationalism to Globalisation
Changing political structure and culture, Democratization, Transition of Political Systems, Contemporary "dictators" or political elites, Privatization and trade liberalization policies

October 26, 2023:

Politics of Latin America
Population Issues, Pattern of Historical Development, Political and Economic Ideologies
Political systems, theories, political culture

November 2, 2021:

Brazil: An Emerging, Revisionist 'Great Power'?
The Struggle for Democracy: Chile and Argentina. The own attitude of Chile as a worlds player - its relations in between the states of Latin America, the relations with the European Union and United States of America, the solution and a model for the rest of the countries?

November 9, 2021:

The Washington Consensus and US Leadership
The Shifting Pattern of US-Latin American Relations
History and continuation of the relations among USA and the states of Latin America, OEA, TIAR, ALCA, TLCAN, Monroe s Doctrine, Dollars Diplomacy, Interventions and Imperialism. Presidency of Bush vs. Clinton.

November 16, 2023:

Integrative Trends of Latin American region
Regional Organisations and Political Regionalism: The Hemispheric Dream
Dimension of the Latin American integration, models of integrations, current situation of the economic and political integration, regionalization and globalization in the processes of the integration and it?s framework of international relations.

November 23, 2023
From Mercosur to Free Trade Areas
Latin American most developed integrative process made of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, relations with European Union, Summits and Agreements, Future visions.

November 30, 2023
NAFTA and the FTAA - vision or reality?
The relations of USA and Mexico, Canada and Mexico.

December 7, 2023:
New left in Latin America;
Political Parties, Electoral Systems, Presidencialism, NGOs, (Mis) rule of law, bureaucracy and administration. Pink tide, Globalisation in Latin America , Populism vs. leftism

December 14,2023
Social Patterns
Social Structures, Criticism of Social Policy, Trends and Changes in the 20th century, Urbanization and problems of overcrowded megalopolises, Degradation of the Environment, Commercial development of the region, Deforestation programs, Coastal pollution, Urban growth, Social Movements.
Alternatives for the future
The Latin American Search for Foreign Policy and Security in the 21st Century , The Quest for Stability: From Dependence to Interdependence, The Global Context of the region of Latin America, Political Changes and Economic prospects, Models of Growth, Globalization and Regiona

Integration in the World of Tomorrow.

December 21, 2023:

Test

Presentation and Seminar Papers:

The presentation paper accounts for 30% of the total grade. The oral presentation should reflect an intellectual mastery of the topic, good structure, good presentation.

Each student will give one formal presentation, which should last about 15-20 minutes. Please, make sure that you come to the seminar the day when your presentation is due. Any presenter who cannot come the day of his/her presentation must inform the lecturer at least 24 hours in advance (see the lecturer?s private e-mail address above). You should provide the lecturer with a substantial reason (illness etc.) for your absence.

Seminar Presentation:
The aim of the seminars is to 1) expose other students to a wide range of topics, data, research and viewpoints 2) to stimulate thought and discussion on the topic 3) to sharpen presentation and discussion skills 4) to cover subjects in more detail than can be done in the lectures. They are an integral part of the subject.
A range of themes are briefly indicated below. Choose one of these areas, or see the lecturer to plan an individual topic. Do not choose a seminar topic that is the same as, or overlaps too closely, with your colleagues. You will need to do some individual research on this, and use current magazines, papers and journals to cover some issues. See the lecturers, or the librarian, for help in identifying some of these resources.
In the presentation, it is best (but not necessary) to provide students with a 'base' information sheet, outlining your topic, the central question, the key facts, and a summary of your conclusion. Include a bibliography of your sources and ensure that you reference these properly. Since there will be 1-2 speakers each week, plan your speaking time for 10 minutes plus 5 minutes discussion time. You will need to have prepared some key questions to lead this class discussion. You may use data projector, power point presentations, video sources, computer or audio materials but ensure that suitable equipment is available. You will be assessed on your ideas, evidence and arguments. If you have booked in for a week ensure that you present at that time. If you need to re-book a time, see your lecturer in advance. Students will not be allowed to re-book into fully-loaded weeks. Material presented in seminars is an important part of the subject.

Sample Seminar Topics
Author-date references will be found in the bibliography below. Any topic connected with Latin America and its international role might be a suitable seminar topic, but approval in writing is required with your lecturer if you are developing an individualized topic. Alternatively, you may choose one of the following topics:
1. Outline U.S.-Brazil relations since the end of the World War II. What tensions exist in this relationship?
2. Is democracy alive and well in Venezuela? Critically discuss, noting events through 2012-nowdays.
3. Outline the progress of the conflict between the Colombian government and revolutionary groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). What are the prospects for the future?
4. 'The problem of poverty in Latin America, taken on average, has not been solved or even seriously reduced over the last decade.' Critically discuss poverty and inequality, distinguishing long and short-term trends in one or more Latin American countries.
5. What problems confront Nicaragua through to 2004-2005 in rebuilding a viable and stable state?
6. Are traditional indigenous cultures of the Americas still viable? Outline the contemporary role and influence of one such culture, e.g. the Maya in Mexico or the Andean cultures of Peru.
7. Has the OAS (Organisation of American States) been effective in promoting and supporting democracy over the last decade?
8. Analyse the pattern of migration across the Mexico-U.S. border. Can this migration be in any real sense 'controlled', especially with increased trade flows since the NAFTA agreement? (Include comment on policies initiated by President Bush in 2004.)
9. What form of government is likely be established after "Castroism" is over? What i