Latin American Perspectives On Global Development

Although as a vast subcontinent, Latin America reflects diverse perspectives of life, senses of identity, cultural and spiritual outlooks, its constituting countries share a specific history of resistance against the prevalent patterns of global development. However, Latin America presents newer accounts of development understood as genuine views on human well-being derived from a sense of its own specific identity. In an emerging renaissance emphasizing human flourishing as the ultimate goal, Latin America is shifting gears towards an ethical perspective on global development. Distinct here is an emphasis on philosophy, theology, literature, arts, music, and cinema as fertile terrains depicting how the subcontinent must draw its own unique picture of development. Today, it is undergoing a diverse cultural, philosophical and spiritual growth, and holds exciting potential to be aligned with, and contribute to, the contemporary debates around the ethics of global development. This book discusses Latin American perspectives against the backdrop of the mainstream view of development, which portrays economic growth as development. It also looks at historical context, cultural diversity, cultural richness and the complex philosophy of life in the Latin American perspective to address the subcontinent’s deep cultural heritage, the depiction of its identity, and its philosophy of life. Additionally, this book discusses how the causes of inequality and malaises such as social crime can be eliminated, and more importantly, how the prosperity and economic, social, and human development of the subcontinent (and the world in general) may be improved.

Africa is not merely an invention with a modern, imperial or colonial background. Nor is it simply a continent in need of foreign aid from the richer, more affluent societies. Africa might be economically needy, politically unstable, and, in part, socially chaotic and suffering from civil wars and social unrest. However, the continent and its peoples are certainly different from the negative image portrayed in the mass media. Africa had been the cradle of civilization in the pre-colonial era, and is today undergoing a diverse cultural, philosophical, and spiritual development with great potential, contributing to contemporary debates around the ethics of globality. The novelty of this book derives from its multidisciplinary approach. Although the authors generally come from the fields of development and economics, global studies, political science, philosophy and ethics, and sociology, they present Africa’s alternative view of human wellbeing in order to provide theories and policy recommendations which inspire the specific developmental patterns for the growth of the continent. The volume discusses the meaning of development for the continent by drawing on culture, identity, ethnicity, and philosophy of nature. The contributors examine a variety of issues and themes directly related to the opportunities provided by globality to promote the development of the continent. They also discuss solutions for underdevelopment and poverty, and how those perspectives might be effectively integrated into the global agenda for the development of Africa.

Examines the problem of inedequate access to information and communication technology (ICT) and the need to develop appropriate pro-poor ICT policies. Shows how market reforms have failed to ensure that the benefits of the Information Society have spread across the region.

Award winning title! 'Globalization and Development' was selected as a 2003 'Notable Government Document' by the American Librarian Association (ALA) and GODORT (Government Documents Round Table). In this book, the UNECLAC (United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) draws upon the Latin American and Caribbean region's experience in order to formulate a historical and multidimensional assessment of the globalization process from the perspectives of developing countries.

Latin America’s diverse political and economic struggles and triumphs have captured the global imagination. The region has been a site of brutal dictators, revolutionary heroes, the Cold War struggle and as a place in which the global debt crisis has had some of its most lasting and devastating impacts. Latin America continues to undergo rapid transformation, demonstrating both inspirational change and frustrating continuities. This text provides a comprehensive introduction to Latin American development in the twenty-first century, emphasizing political, economic, social, cultural and environmental dimensions of development. It considers key challenges facing the region and the diverse ways in which its people are responding, as well as providing analysis of the ways in which such challenges and responses can be theorized. This book also explores the region’s historical trajectory, the implementation and rejection of the neoliberal model and the role played by diverse social movements. Relations of gender, class and race are considered, as well as the ways in which media and popular culture are forging new global imaginaries of the continent. The text also considers the increasing difficulties that Latin America faces in confronting climate change and environmental degradation. This accessible text gives an overarching historical and geographical analysis of the region and critical analysis of recent developments. It is accompanied by a diverse range of critical historical and contemporary case studies from all parts of the continent, providing readers with the conceptual tools required to analyse theories on Latin American development. Each chapter ends with a summary section, discussion topics, suggestions for further reading, websites and media resources. This is an indispensable resource for scholars, students and practitioners.

Many of the contributing social scientists are Latin American, and their ideas are presented in English for the first time here. They combine the two paradigms of sustainable development and globalization to explore how the latter impacts prospects for the former, and consider how best to build partnerships between the state and other agencies of civil society at the national, subnational, and local levels. Among the topics are lessons from the European experience of privatization and neoliberalism, regionalism and globalism as alternative models for Latin American integration, the consequences of privatization in Chile, and case studies of three regions in Brazil. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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