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UID: 304438618
Section: 1B
In the 19th Century, the Latin American elites saw a business partner in foreign firms,
especially those based in the United States. The saw the value of having stable, business-friendly
governments. To maintain this order, they called on the government and military of the United
States for weapons, training, and even outright participation in conflict. The progress that came
from this agreement was an infusion in foreign capital adorning the elites coffers, and the
construction of infrastructure, such as bridges and road pavement, among others, for the
facilitation of the exported goods. Members of the lower social classes were the victims of the
elites influence on government. Foreign firms often engaged in labor coercion to ensure that
there was a steady, disposable worker population whom they can exploit, which lacks the means
This whole order and progress mentality was connected to the concept of scientific
and nationalistic racism as these countries wanted in incentivize Italian and other Western
Europeans to relocate to Latin America. Also, the elites were mainly fair skinned compared to
the working class, who was of a darker complexion. This led many of the elites to see themselves
in that image, associated with a particular, foreign race, culture, and identity, and the increased
exploitation of their workers. The elites saw the lower class as disposable and sub-human, thus
did not engage with them on a political level. Additionally, foreign firms imported labor from the
Caribbean, many of whom lacked employment due to the abolition of slavery. Labor was seen as
a disposable and unlimited resource, and part of what fueled the justification of their exploitation
The author begins the chapter by describing some of the patterns of governments in Latin
America. One pattern discussed is the popularity of scientific racism, perpetuated by each
countrys ruling class, and institutionalized through their governmental influence. The author
then proceeds to give instances where these patterns occurred, as well as any anomalies or
exceptions to the environment. Pertaining to the previously mentioned example, the first article
The Specter of Degeneration describes Nuestra Amrica by Carlos Octavio Bunge as a book that
advocated for scientific racism; one whom promoters of scientific racism often cited. Another
specific example is found in the dialog in the fourth article, A Mexican National Romance, where
Manuela is heard disparaging a suitor because of his race, despite his considerable wealth; Ill
never marry that horrible Indian. I cant stand to lay eyes on him. He repulses me and I just cant