U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America and The Move to the Left

Why get involved?

◦ Protect economic interests 1899 United Fruit Company goes into Nicaragua and Guatemala. By 1970 owned more land then anyone in Guatemala

Others move into Latin America –Sears, Shell, Citigroup, Westinghouse and Coca-Cola

◦ Stop the infiltration of socialists and communist-fear of communism

◦ Improve conditions for the people

Cold war impact on Latin America Became involved to stop the spread of socialism and communism Increased aid to Latin America

◦ Military to stop socialist uprising (U.S. Backed Dictators)◦ Financial to reduce poverty

◦ Little success

Imperialism Secures U.S. interests

Latin America becomes economically dependent

Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress•Cooperation and trade instead of military intervention to promote stability and growth in the region

•International development program started by President Kennedy

it aimed to strengthen democratic government and promote social and economic reforms

•US provided loans and aid built some schools and hospitals, but it was widely viewed as a failure

•Purpose to reduce military intervention

Military/Political involvement failure• The focus had been to stop communism from spreading,

even if it meant supporting dictators, democracy was never an end goal

Problem: Latin America’s democracies seem to have institutions, but they weren’t representative.

Result: Emergence of “delegative” democracies – where elected presidents “govern as he or she sees fit”. ◦ Absence of other institutions to check presidential

power. ◦ Removes incentives to keep campaign promises.

Economic involvement failure• Neoliberal Policies had failed to deliver economic

prosperity• World Bank & IMF conditionality

U.S & Latin America Today The U.S. has “lost” Latin America

Increasing “Anti-American” ideals?

More Latin American countries have chosen left leaning governments hoping for change

US is still the most important buyer of Latin American’s goods – 50%

The New Latin American Left

Uruguay: Tabaré VázquezChile: Michelle BacheletBrazil: Luis Inácio LulaArgentina: Néstor Kirchner Venezuela: Hugo Chávez Bolivia: Evo MoralesEcuador: Rafael CorreaNicaragua: Daniel Ortega

The Move to the Left

The Rise of the Left

Economic situationDebt Failure of the “Washington Consensus”

Consolidation of democracy

Demand for clean and accountable government

Emphasizes:◦ social improvement vs. orthodox macroeconomic policy◦ egalitarian distribution of wealth vs. free-market capitalism◦ sovereignty vs. international cooperation• Economic & Political inclusion• State-led development• Sovereignty & Nationalism

• Commitment to Democracy

• Participation

• Regional Cooperación & Integration

• Identity

• Environment

The Left

Growth in Latin America

Growth in Latin America

The Future

• Relations with China• Are some Latin American

countries becoming less democratic?• Venezuela• Bolivia

• Is growth sustainable?