Social Inequality in Latin America

Prof. Jorge Valenzuela

Midterm Exam Study Guide - Oral Exam
Tuesday, October 5th 3:30pm – 7:30pm - Microsoft Teams
The following is a list of topics that have been covered in the course materials and class
discussions that will help you prepare for the oral exam. This is not a list of questions.
Moreover, the questions of the exam more likely will link more than one topic of this list. For
each topic, try to think on specific examples as they will help you make a strong argument when
answering to the questions.

1. Latin America as a field of study and how the concept of inequality is embedded in its
definition. (Intro class PPT)
2. Cultural and social differences within Latin America (different countries and regions) in
terms of languages, cultures and history. You need to be aware that, for example,
Spanish America has a different history than Brazil. The Atlantic side Vs. Pacific side
of the continent.
3. The many inequalities of Latin America, expressed in race, gender, place of residence,
language(s) spoken, income, educational level, etc; and how they interact and reinforce
each other (Hoffman and Centeno)
4. How inequality in Latin America has become part of peoples every day’s life and why
(Hoffman and Centeno).
5. The factor endowments or initial conditions European conquerors found in the
Americas and how it affected the course of history in different regions of the continent.
(De Ferranti)
6. The historical roots of inequality in Latin America based on the expansion of global
capitalism, the different colonial experiences and the institutionalization of labor control
and racism. The concept of Eurocentrism (De Ferranti, Quijano).
7. How and why high levels of inequality can destabilize societies? How inclusive politics
may lead to more social claims? (Fukuyama).
8. The challenges of educational reforms and conditional cash transfer programs in Latin
America. (Fukuyama).
9. The basic dynamics of socio environmental conflicts in Latin America. The roles of the
State, the extractive corporations and the communities. (Gustafsson)
10. The different positions communities can take towards an extractive project. The
negotiation strategies they have and the ways communities can protest against, oppose
to and negotiate with such projects. (Gustafsson)