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1) - Religion played a HUGE role in the early European development of Latin America!. I think the history of Latin America compared to North America is incredibly interesting!. You really need to go back to 1500 and then subsequent years to see how the things became screwed up in that region!. First of all, Latin America was primarily the Spanish and Portuguese domain!. Spain's goal was to drain as much wealth out of the region as they could!. Spain was also close the Roman Catholic Church!. Politically speaking, Spain often used it's close relationship with the Church to help them throughout Europe (as historically, the Church was the primary political force for centuries leading up to the discovery of the new world)!. How does Spain help the Catholic Church - by helping the Church grow and increase membership!. The discovery of Latin America introduced millions of possible converts!. The Spanish government was smart enough to know if they converted as many of the native to Catholicism it would also help them rule the region - as the Church would of been a unifying force!.

So with the support of the Spanish Government, the Church played an important role in the development of the region!. In the Church's defense, they really did help the natives regarding education!. As the Spanish conquidors and government representatives became increasingly cruel to the native - the Church did in fact help the people of region as best they could as time went!. Especially around the 1700's, the Church really did split from the European powers in the region - even today you can see in part of Central America, the Church taking significant stances against governments!. Much of them stemmed from the history of the region!. It's actually quite an interesting subject!.

Matter of fact, back in the 1980's, there were some high profile Bishops and Cardinals who led political rally's!. Political rallies that in fact supported Socialist ideals - some even Communistic!. We can't forget where Pope John Paul II came from - a communist Poland!. He was outrages on his first visit to the region and wanted it stopped!. It took him quite a long time to understand the injustices going on in El Salvador and Nicaraga (sic)!.

2) Economic Development in Latin America is an absolute MESS!. Where did start - well it started from the beginning!. Look at the type of person who came to the New World from Spain and Portugal compared to the North America (English, Dutch and French)!. The people who came to North America were there to establish a new life, filled with economic and religious freedom!. While in Latin America, immigrants came for one thing - money and what money could drained from the land!. Now, I have made some generalizations here but the fact of matter is thats what happened!.

Really only recently have immigrants from other parts of Europe come to South America!. When I say recent, I mean within the last 70 years!. Germany between the World War really started to develop trade relations with Argentina and Brazil!. Many Germans have continue to immigrate to South America - it's not a coincidence that many former Nazi's have been caught in Latin America after the Second World War!.

I suppose the nuts and bolts of the second part of this question has to do with the privatization of much of the utilities in Latin America!. In general, the movement hasn't been a success but I don't think anyone is surprised about that!. In the United States there has been some movement toward that - an example would be Indiana selling the Turnpike to a private company to run it, instead of the State!. The idea is that with the toll money going to private company, they could can run the road more efficiently and make a profit!.

I think that general trend in Latin America is not a good thing but I do understand it - as corruption is an rampant in government (especially in the last 200 years) and the fact many Latin American countries have had recent monetary issues (see Brazil and Argentina)!.

While I don't have an answer to the economic problems in Latin America, it's going to take a comprehensive idea to solve it!. The reality is that places like Bolivia and Uragauy are simple poor as poor can get with natural resources that is they exist are hard to extract because of the natural geography of the region!.

3) Class structure in a poorly developed country is always an issues!. The only way to rid harmful class structure is education!. Ultimately, that may sound like a cop out answer but it's the truth!. In defense of succussful people, there are plenty of people who would be considered "lower class of society" who make no attempt to get out of there situation - it's the same here in the US!.

The class structure issue was truly an issue early one but I do think is countries like Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Columbia - it's gotten better - it still exists but to the extent it used to do, not as much!. I know there are some incredibly poor people throughout the major cities in Latin America but there seems to a very slow movement that things are getting a little better!. Due to the scope of the problem, I don't think this is something that can be solved at the snap of a finger!. The US, the richest nation in the world as a severe poverty issue - so the problem is even worse in South America!.

50 years ago - Latin America didn't have a middle class!. Today in many countries in the region - there is a middle class!. Historically, class structure was a problem!. The rich owned the plantation and the business' - the poor had nothing!. This created a big problem!. So I would say yes, it played significant role!. Especially with how people developed there political views!. In Venezuela, people have accepted a dictator under the premise of a socialist ideal - this happened because the poor were angry!. They made a terrible mistake with Hugo Chevez and they will be paying for until he is gone!. He certainly isn't a person "for the poor" - putting one clinic in a barrio is hardly helping the million living in a shack - while oil is being exported at RECORD LEVELS!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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