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Week 8: Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age
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Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age is certainly a thought provoking chapter; it is highly significant for the coming decades in the international political stage. Here we start seeing the fractures of society on the left and right of the political spectru... read full post >>
Week 8: Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age
Posted by: feedwordpress
Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age is certainly a thought provoking chapter; it is highly significant for the coming decades in the international political stage. Here we start seeing the fractures of society on the left and right of the political spectru... read full post >>
Week 8: Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age
Posted by: feedwordpress
Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age is certainly a thought provoking chapter; it is highly significant for the coming decades in the international political stage. Here we start seeing the fractures of society on the left and right of the political spectrum, with what are essentially fascists (Liga Patriótica Argentina) and socialists/communists (José Carlos). As we know these divides in Latin America will play a large part in the way the region is percieved and intereracted with by the great powers. It is also a chapter that highlights "Our America" which the author José Martí, warns about interactions with the great powers and the alleged U.S. involvement in Latin American countries.
The chapter does make one question the validity of democracy and liberal values, when approached with the (temporary) success of Porfirio Diaz's regime. It is understandable how autocratic measures were needed to ensure development, with the example of "In Mexico, almost every mile of railway construction was accompanied by some minor conflict." Modern semi-dictatorships such as China and Singapore further show that maybe Diaz was onto something, that perhaps it is difficult to develop in a liberal democratic framework.
However the juxtaposition to what Porfirio Diaz had previously asserted in the preceding chapter is also an interesting aspect of this chapter, the fact that he gave the impression that he was committed to the democratic ideal but most of what he said was just pandering and not reflective of what he truly believed. Similar to politicians in the modern era, and likely throughout human history. The way that the Mexican revolution played out was also mentioned in this chapter. With the Constituitonalists eventually gaining power. It was interesting for me to read about where most of the power lies in terms of revolutions, with the urban middle class apparently having much of the power. read full post >>
The chapter does make one question the validity of democracy and liberal values, when approached with the (temporary) success of Porfirio Diaz's regime. It is understandable how autocratic measures were needed to ensure development, with the example of "In Mexico, almost every mile of railway construction was accompanied by some minor conflict." Modern semi-dictatorships such as China and Singapore further show that maybe Diaz was onto something, that perhaps it is difficult to develop in a liberal democratic framework.
However the juxtaposition to what Porfirio Diaz had previously asserted in the preceding chapter is also an interesting aspect of this chapter, the fact that he gave the impression that he was committed to the democratic ideal but most of what he said was just pandering and not reflective of what he truly believed. Similar to politicians in the modern era, and likely throughout human history. The way that the Mexican revolution played out was also mentioned in this chapter. With the Constituitonalists eventually gaining power. It was interesting for me to read about where most of the power lies in terms of revolutions, with the urban middle class apparently having much of the power. read full post >>
Week 7: The Export Boom as Modernity
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The modernization of Latin America is quite an interesting tale of (neo) colonialism, politics, and power. I found it really interesting how Latin American countries throughout the golden ages of their export based economy (Aprox. 1830-1930) acted in regards to domestic affairs and the international stage. Leading on from the "strongmen"/Caudillos the authoritarian nature of much of Latin America at that time was fascinating, where the Spaniards had colonized with the premise of bringing civilization to the Americas, and the racial inferiority of the Native Americans, a very similar kind of rationale was put forth by these now independent governments for modernizing society, especially in rural areas, and (again) doing so through authoritarian means.
The text that was included in the chapter was a very interesting real life example of what was happening in Latin America at the time. With General/Presidente Porfirio Díaz being a prime example of a strongman, his early policies were quite authoritarian in nature, in his own words they were "sometimes...harsh to the point of cruelty". The fact that a man who presided over human rights abuses, allegedly discouraged an opposition to his reign, and someone who ruled the country for 36+ years; had so much hope for the future Mexico to be self governing and modern, was quite perplexing to an outsider such as myself or even, seemingly, the author.
Even though an autocratic governor, Diaz seems to be devoted to the ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy. In regards to repudiating the national debt, Diaz rejected the idea because it was "dishonest". Diaz exemplifies what the ideal Latin American leader in the 19th and early 20th century was, patriotic, honourable, but ruthless.
read full post >>Week 7: The Export Boom as Modernity
Posted by: feedwordpress
The modernization of Latin America is quite an interesting tale of (neo) colonialism, politics, and power. I found it really interesting how Latin American countries throughout the golden ages of their export based economy (Aprox. 1830-1930) acted in regards to domestic affairs and the international stage. Leading on from the "strongmen"/Caudillos the authoritarian nature of much of Latin America at that time was fascinating, where the Spaniards had colonized with the premise of bringing civilization to the Americas, and the racial inferiority of the Native Americans, a very similar kind of rationale was put forth by these now independent governments for modernizing society, especially in rural areas, and (again) doing so through authoritarian means.
The text that was included in the chapter was a very interesting real life example of what was happening in Latin America at the time. With General/Presidente Porfirio Díaz being a prime example of a strongman, his early policies were quite authoritarian in nature, in his own words they were "sometimes...harsh to the point of cruelty". The fact that a man who presided over human rights abuses, allegedly discouraged an opposition to his reign, and someone who ruled the country for 36+ years; had so much hope for the future Mexico to be self governing and modern, was quite perplexing to an outsider such as myself or even, seemingly, the author.
Even though an autocratic governor, Diaz seems to be devoted to the ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy. In regards to repudiating the national debt, Diaz rejected the idea because it was "dishonest". Diaz exemplifies what the ideal Latin American leader in the 19th and early 20th century was, patriotic, honourable, but ruthless.
read full post >>Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age
Posted by: feedwordpress
This weeks readings on Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age following up the chapter The Export Boom as Modernity, sheds light on the violence, struggles and diffulties that accompanied the road to modernity in latin america. Dawson introduces the chapter by suggesting that one critical, seemingly straight forward, question unleashes not one, but many […] read full post >>
Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age
Posted by: feedwordpress
This weeks readings on Signs of Crisis in a Gilded Age following up the chapter The Export Boom as Modernity, sheds light on the violence, struggles and diffulties that accompanied the road to modernity in latin america. Dawson introduces the chapter by suggesting that one critical, seemingly straight forward, question unleashes not one, but many […] read full post >>
Week 7: The Export Boom as Modernity
Posted by: feedwordpress
The modernization of Latin America is quite an interesting tale of (neo) colonialism, politics, and power. I found it really interesting how Latin American countries throughout the golden ages of their export based economy (Aprox. 1830-1930) acted in regards to domestic affairs and the international stage. Leading on from the "strongmen"/Caudillos the authoritarian nature of much of Latin America at that time was fascinating, where the Spaniards had colonized with the premise of bringing civilization to the Americas, and the racial inferiority of the Native Americans, a very similar kind of rationale was put forth by these now independent governments for modernizing society, especially in rural areas, and (again) doing so through authoritarian means.
The text that was included in the chapter was a very interesting real life example of what was happening in Latin America at the time. With General/Presidente Porfirio Díaz being a prime example of a strongman, his early policies were quite authoritarian in nature, in his own words they were "sometimes...harsh to the point of cruelty". The fact that a man who presided over human rights abuses, allegedly discouraged an opposition to his reign, and someone who ruled the country for 36+ years; had so much hope for the future Mexico to be self governing and modern, was quite perplexing to an outsider such as myself or even, seemingly, the author.
Even though an autocratic governor, Diaz seems to be devoted to the ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy. In regards to repudiating the national debt, Diaz rejected the idea because it was "dishonest". Diaz exemplifies what the ideal Latin American leader in the 19th and early 20th century was, patriotic, honourable, but ruthless.
read full post >>Week 12: Speaking Truth to Power
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This weeks reading was quite interesting as I have not heard of most of theses events and injustices that took place in Latin America. I had heard previously of the disappearances in Argentina, but learning that this took place within a dictatorship that killed between 9000- 30 000 people was just insane. Learning of the … Continue reading Week 12: Speaking Truth to Power read full post >>
Week 12: The Strength of Mothers
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In one of my courses, we talked about war, and how women’s bodies are always the site of battle. In history, women’s bodies have always been a location for violence. To systematically ruin and destroy an entire nation, it’s enemies will go after ... read full post >>
