Latin American Studies Resource Guide

Environmentalism is the expression of conflicts of interest and power strategies for the sustainable management of environmental goods and services, and for the social appropriation of nature.

Overview of poliltics in Central America since 1945.

Politics in general tend to be about dividing the scarce resources of a nation among its population. In all countries of the world there are never enough resources to benefit all of the people that live in each nation, even under the best of circumstances: that is, if all benefits were actually to be divided in equal parts among all citizens of a given country, instead of the more common practice of having a small minority claim most of them, while a large majority basically survives on extremely limited means.

Two empires mobilised the first European expansion in America: Spain and Portugal. Both deployed unparalleled forces that resulted in the establishment of colonial rule in America, and the proliferation of Eurocentric modernities grounded in sixteenth-century mercantilism.

By the early 20th century, nationalism emerged as a major force with the potential to reshape Latin America. Combining the power of pride with a sense of mission, nationalism exerted a formidable influence on politics, culture, and economics. Despite its significance, nationalism as a concept defies easy definition.

The North American Free Trade Agreement links Mexico, Canada, and the United States into one of the world’s largest single markets. Officially in place as of 1994, NAFTA commits all three countries to the elimination of tariffs and other barriers to trade.

CQ Researcher March 2008

CQ Researcher June 5, 2012