Britain, Spain, and many more have always had an impact on the structure of the government each country would have. However, just as Karl Marx stated, the government is dependent on the state of the economy. This is why there is such variation in Latin America such as Mexico with a Republic, Cuba with Communism, and Venezuela with a supposed Republic ruled by a Dictator. Many Latin American country has gone through several government types and beliefs. One of these would include Neoliberalism.
Neoliberalism is theory in which the belief that privatization, free trade, export production, and minimal government intervention. It is an attempt to have changes go through political debates rather than revolution, a focus on economic growth, and resembles Capitalism very much. Why did Neoliberalism work in Latin America though? Neoliberalism worked in Latin America due to the success that the Middle-class had through Neoliberalism. It is through the Middle-class that other theory's such as Marxism were not received as well due the belief that social mobility is possible. It is through success that Lower to Middle-class workers had faith in Neoliberalism. And with the success that Neoliberal leaders had in Latin American Countries, it supported the argument that Neoliberalism works. It worked so well in fact that Groups such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was born due to the belief that foreign capital is encouraged in Latin America. In some Latin American countries however the aid of foreign countries is not needed as much.
Neoliberalism gave some of the minorities groups a form of unity but still each had their particular culture. Whether it be believing that leaders like Zapata should be recognized as opposed to talked down upon. Nationalism for one's country was still around but not in the same sense that the aid of foreign countries should be turned down. Instead it was welcomed. This is another reason as to why Marxism is as popular to Neoliberalism since the working class also known as the Proletariat were not as unified in order for a government like Communism to work properly. Latin America in this relates heavily to the United States and why Marxism never reached it as well.
How has Neoliberalism worked out for Latin America though? It began very successful and the working class enjoyed the new job opportunities, the social mobility, the foreign imports and exports. However through recent years, Neoliberalism appears to be getting old, and Nationalism is becoming a competitor once again. Mexico experienced their worst economic crisis during the 90's after the President Carlos Salinas Administration. In Brazil a nationalist attitude is what began stabilizing the economy through Luiz Inacio da Silva. In Venezuela a nationalist dictator Hugo Chavez, the opposite of da Silva, rose to power, and though the people may not have as many options, Chavez gave them more than any Neoliberal had done before him. The list goes on. Neoliberalism appeared to be a glimmer of hope that Latin American would have in order for the countries to have a stabilized government and economy. However as Karl Marx states in his Communist Manifesto, a government is based on the economy, and no matter the government type, it will always create its own seed of its destruction. Neoliberalism was too much foreign trade, corrupt governments, and the false promise of social mobility for many. It is also why I am so skeptical of political leader's decisions today and why I am so concerned for the economic stability for so many people in U.S.as well. However, I still do firmly believe that no matter what the elite do, or what they attempt to enforce the responsibility of the structure of the country is on the majority, which is the middle and lower class.
http://newleftreview.org/II/52/emir-sader-the-weakest-link-neoliberalism-in-latin-america
http://citizenspress.org/editorials/neoliberalism-in-latin-america
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