Latin American Politics - Texas A&M University Corpus Christi ...

Current Event Write-UpObjective: To apply the themes we learn in class to one current event in a Latin American country.ComponentsI. Country ContextBriefly describe the selected country’s historical legacy, democratic transition, andeconomic profile, including such things as its colonization, indigenous population,natural resources, revolutionary and civil wars, natural resources, and current grossdomestic product.Recommended sources: Chapter 3 O’Toole, CIA World FactbookII.Political InstitutionsGive a brief overview of the selected country’s political institutions and key politicalplayers, including its presidency, legislature, political parties, the military, the church,and notable social movements.Recommended sources: Chapter 3, lecturesIII.Current EventSummarize the selected current event, outlining what happened, who the key actorsare, and what political institutions are involved.Recommended sources: CNN Latin America Edition, LANewsUpdate.com, LANICIV.Implications for DemocracyAnswer - “What does this mean for democracy? Why?” Speculate on how and why thisevent affects democracy in the selected country by linking the current event to thecountry’s context, specifically its political institutions, dominant political actors,democratic transition, and economic conditions - among other factors.For 5 bonus points (on this paper) - briefly compare the selected current event andcountry to another country. Would the event have the same effect on democracyconsidering the other country’s political institutions, political players, democratichistory, and economic conditions?Note: See Grading Rubric for specific components critical to final grade as well as paper procedures.5