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Oct 16

Oct 16 Unpacking Urban Segregation in Latin America: A Comparative Study of Guatemala City and Buenos Aires

The concept of "living" is a multifaceted topic that has intrigued scholars in the field of social sciences, prompting reflections on the intricate relationship between nature, culture, and human society. Diverse perspectives exist on the concept of "living," ranging from the anthropological emphasis on movement to geographical considerations of space as repositories of historical social issues. Sociologists delve into how individuals appropriate and occupy space in ways that vary across social classes, shedding light on how social differences manifest in physical spaces. This article explores Latin American living, with a focus on Argentina (the outskirts of Buenos Aires) and Guatemala City, two culturally diverse and unequal regions where social and cultural differences are reflected in urban spaces. Security is a paramount concern in Latin American cities, where high crime rates and violence have led residents, particularly the middle and upper classes, to adopt various strategies to prioritize security and privacy in their urban living arrangements.

Jun 1

Jun 1 Economics of Labor in Brazil

Karnik Aswani

Economics

Labor economics is a field of economics that studies the labor market and the relationships among workers, employers, and institutions involved in the production process. It is concerned with aspects such as the allocation of labor, wages, employment, working conditions, and other factors that impact the labor market. In Brazil, the labor market is characterized by significant challenges, including high levels of informality, low wages, inequality, and a shortage of skilled workers in some sectors. Moreover, Brazil's population of over 213 million people is the fifth largest globally, and it affects labor supply and demand in various economic sectors. Some of the various sectors would be agriculture, manufacturing, services, construction, mining and energy, and information technology. The government plays a crucial role in addressing these issues by enacting labor laws, policies, and programs that safeguard workers' rights, promote formal employment, and reduce labor market disparities. Brazil has experienced several economic crises in recent years, resulting in high unemployment rates and a decrease in formal employment. The government's response to these crises has been pivotal in mitigating their effects on workers and the labor market.

Mar 22

Mar 22 Latin American Immigration to America: An Endless Firestorm

Ariel Siton

Public Policy

In the United States, as in other countries, immigration is the subject of intense public debate. Disagreements persist on many components of policy, including levels of enforcement, treatment of entrants to the destination country, and levels of acceptable immigration, notably by quotas. However, what is perhaps most unique about the United States immigration system, and the way that debates surrounding it are structured, is the extent to which immigrants are viewed in extremes.

Jan 5

Jan 5 El Salvador: Land of Volcanoes, and… Crypto?

Mauricio Ramirez

Business Current Events

For many, the roots of economic disadvantage among countries are related to not being able to have a currency that is strong in the international markets. In modern times the American dollar is the prime currency used around the world for international trade and even as a store of value for people who distrust their local currencies. Latin America has been at the mercy of the dollar many times throughout modern history. The 80s are known in Latin America as the “Lost decade” or “La decada perdida”. Many Latin American countries suffered a severe crisis due to the first OPEC-Related rise in oil prices in 1973. A second increase in the price of oil in 1979 and the U.S Fed driving up interest rates caused many Latin American countries to end up with large current account deficits and accumulated foreign debt (Frenkel, R., & Rapetti, M). El Salvador seems to be trying to break the circle of dollar dependency by switching to Bitcoin. But it could be just a reaction due to the U.S pulling resources from El Salvador due to the fear from U.S lawmakers of President Bukele going towards an authoritarian path.

Sep 22

Sep 22 Constitutional Changes in Latin America: Political instability or Social Positive change?

Mauricio Ramirez

Political Process

Since 1900, all Latin American countries have made drastic changes to their constitutions (Jstor, 2012). The idea of changing the constitution denotes a line of thought that assumes the previous regime was the problem and the only way to improve is to reimagine the government from the ground up. The rhetoric of presenting the new government on a messianic scale is very appealing for incoming Latin American governments, but how long can this be sustained? Where is the line that separates continuity from chaos? Changes in the constitution can create opportunities to bring the people's voices together and create a positive social impact. However, these changes have also proven to be the perfect opportunity for a "strong leader" to become the only voice that matters.