Politics 243 - Intro to Latin American Polit

Why has Latin America struggled to achieve;democratic stability? Why is it the region of the;world with the highest economic inequality? How;have the periodic political and economic crises;allowed for creative experimentation with policy;alternatives to create a more equal and;sustainable social order? This course examines;the political and economic evolution and;transformation of Latin America from the time of;the European conquest until these very days, with;a particular focus on the 20th century. It will;also analyze how these general trends took;specific shapes in each of the 7 countries;studied: Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Chile,;Venezuela and Bolivia.

Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors