Our World

3/1/06

Block 2

1. Trivia

2. We took the following notes in class

Language Map of Latin America (4.19)
Geopolitical Framework: Redrawing the Map
-Cycles of antagonism and cooperation
* Organization of American States (OAS)
* MERCOSUR (Southern Cone Common Market)
-Iberian Conquest and Territorail Division
Treaty of Tordesilles divided South America between Spain and Portugal
-Revolution and Independence
* Elites born in America led to revolutions resulting in the creation of new countries
-Presisting Border Conflicts
* Colonail boundary lines were not well accepted
* When states gained independence, border issues grew

Shifting Political Boundaries (4.21)
-The Trend Toward Democracy
* Long independence, but political stability has been a problem
* Democratic elections since 1980's
Most of the countries are free-market democracies
- Regional Organizations
Supranational organizations: Governing bodies that include several states
Subnational organizations: Groups that represent areas of people with in the state

-Trade Blocks
*To foster international markets and reduce trade barries
-Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA), Central American Common Market(CACM), Andean Group, NAFTA, Mercosur

- Insurgencies and Drug Traffickers
* Guerrilla groups have controlled large portions of their countries through violence and intimidation
-FARC (Revolutionary Amred Forces of Colombia) ELN (National Liberation Army)
Drug cartes: Powerful and wealthy organized crime sundicates

3. Finished GIS in the Pub

4. Finally we finished the movie on Mexico

posted by Anonymous @ 3/01/2006 09:09:00 PM