Contextualization

Latin America is a region of great political and economic diversity and complexity. Throughout the 20th century, several countries in the region experienced different forms of government, from democracies to military dictatorships. During this period, the interaction between politics and economics played a fundamental role, shaping the history and destiny of many countries.

Latin American politics is marked by successive waves of democratization and authoritarianism. From the 1960s onwards, many countries in the region went through dictatorial regimes that lasted until the end of the 20th century. During these periods, political censorship, oppression, and the use of force were common characteristics. However, these regimes also implemented various economic reforms, many of which had a lasting impact on the socio-economic structure of these countries.

In this sense, the study of politics and economics in Latin America is an important path to understanding complex histories and contexts. Observing the relationship between these two fields can reveal how politics can shape the economy and vice versa.

Latin America also finds itself in a unique position regarding globalization. As many countries in the region are exporters of raw materials, they are heavily affected by fluctuations in the global economy. Furthermore, many social movements in the region have questioned global policies and advocated for alternative forms of regional integration.

Moreover, it is necessary to discuss the impact of digital information and communication technologies on Latin American politics. The internet and social networks play an increasingly important role in social and political mobilization, which has significant consequences for democracy and social movements.

Below are some suggested resources for reading and studying in this project:

1. (Book) "Latin America and the Challenges of Globalization: Essays dedicated to Raul Prebisch", by Reginaldo C. Moraes
2. (Book) "Economic History of Latin America", by Ciro Flamarion Cardoso and Hector Pérez Brignoli
3. (Website) Le Monde Diplomatique Brazil: has a section dedicated to Latin America, with detailed articles and analyses of various countries in the region.
4. (Website) South American Political Observatory (OPSA): offers conjuncture analyses, research reports, and other resources on politics in Latin America.
5. (Website) Latinobarómetro: an annual study that analyzes the evolution of opinions, attitudes, and behaviors of citizens from 18 Latin American countries.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Journey through the History of Latin America: A Political and Economic Analysis through Documentaries and Research"

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the politics and economics of Latin America. They will work in groups of 3 to 5 members, researching, watching documentaries, and discussing topics such as dictatorial regimes, globalization, technological developments, and economic policies in Latin America.

Detailed Project Description:

The project will be carried out in four main parts:

1. Research and Analysis of Documentaries: Students will research the political and economic history of a Latin American country of their choice and watch a documentary related to the theme. The focus will be on dictatorial regimes, economic and social reforms, and the impacts of these changes.

2. Exploration of Globalization in Latin America: Students should research and discuss the effects of globalization on the political economy of the chosen country. They should focus on local criticisms of global policies and the effects of raw material exports.

3. Study of Digital Technologies: Students will investigate the impact of digital technologies on the politics of the chosen country.

4. Analysis of Economic Policies: Finally, students must analyze the economic policies adopted in the chosen country and their social impacts.

Each group should produce a detailed report of the conducted research, including analyses of the watched documentaries, debates on the motivations behind economic policies, and technological transformations.

Required Materials:

1. Internet access for research and documentary viewing
2. Books and reference materials on the history of Latin America
3. Notebooks and pens for note-taking and brainstorming

Step-by-Step:

1. Students will form groups and choose a Latin American country for study.

2. Each group will conduct initial research on the political and economic history of the chosen country.

3. They will watch a documentary related to the history of the chosen country, taking note of the main themes addressed.

4. The groups will research globalization in Latin America and discuss the effects of this phenomenon on the chosen country.

5. After that, students will investigate how digital technologies have transformed local politics.

6. Students will conduct a detailed analysis of the economic policies adopted in the chosen country and discuss their social impacts.

7. Each group will write a detailed research report, with clear sections dedicated to Introduction, Development (including theory, activities carried out, methodology used, and results obtained), Conclusions, and Bibliography.

Project Deliverables:

The main deliverable will be a detailed and well-written research report, including a deep analysis of the following topics:

• Characteristics of dictatorial regimes in the chosen country and the economic and social reforms triggered by these regimes.
• Impacts of globalization on the political economy of the country.
• Influence of digital technologies on the country's politics.
• The main economic policies adopted and their social impacts.

The report should be structured as follows:

1. Introduction: In this section, students should contextualize the chosen country and the topics that will be addressed in the report, explaining why they are relevant and what the study objectives are.

2. Development: It should include a detailed description of the activities carried out, theory discussed, methodology used, and the results obtained. Each subsection should explain and discuss one of the four main topics addressed in the research.

3. Conclusions: Here, students should gather what they have learned, focusing on the main points that emerged from the research and discussions.

4. Bibliography: All sources of information used should be listed, whether books, documentaries, websites, articles, among others.

The conclusion of the activity is that they will have gained an in-depth insight into the interrelation between politics and economics in Latin America, as well as an understanding of the complexities of globalization, the digital age, and the political-economic issues facing the region.