Brazil’s Economy
By:Jasmine Dunham
Brazil is the largest country in South America. Just like many other nations in the world, it has a mixed economic system. A mixed economy is an economic system where both the state and private sector direct the economy. It has some of the same traits as market and planned economies.
The term originated from the UK in the 1930’s. The economic freedom side includes privately owned industry for things like individual freedom, and economic efficiency. “Brazil’s economic freedom score is 56.9, making its economy the 114th freest in the 2014 Index.” (Heritage) The score that Brazil has now is 0.8 points worse than the previous year. There has been labor, monetary, and trade freedom.
The factors of production are owned by private enterprise. The government may intervene in things like taxes, subsidies, legislations, interest rates, and money supply. For land, Brazil contains resources such as gold, iron ore, manganese, platinum, phosphates, hydropower, and rare earth elements. It is a major contributor to agricultural and industrial industries. Their labor force is 104.7 million. They have a lower life expectancy but their booming population gives it a steady and stable labor force. “88.6% of the population, ages 15+ can read and write. This means Brazil’s workforce has the skills to compete in the world market.”(Brazilfaqs) Their agriculture and industrial growth has been tremendous due to their specializing in coffee, beef, wheat rice, sugarcane and many others. Industrially wise they specialize in textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, tile, and aircraft. “The labor force by occupation is 20% agriculture, 14% industry, and 66% services, showing Brazil is strong in human capital, but the resources and equipment to back it up.”(Brazilfaqs)
Some of the goals of this system may be to minimize unemployment, create more stable prices, and increase a growth for GDP and income in regions that have mixed economies. Microeconomic goals are efficiency and equity. Full employment, stability, and economic growth are some examples of macroeconomic goals.
Ramifications of the system like excessive control over business activity can add cost and discourage enterprise. Another ramification may be heavy taxes reducing incentives to work hard or make profits.
Sources:
- “Mixed Economy and Its Advantages/disadvantages.”Foreign Educator Teaching System RSS. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://www.fetsystem.com/businessstudies/mixed-economy-advantagesdisadvantages>.
- “Brazil.” Economy: Facts, Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, Corruption. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. http://www.heritage.org/index/country/brazil
- “Brazil FAQs.”Brazil FAQs. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. <http://brazilfaqs.weebly.com/index.html>.
- Picture: http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/brazil
Peru’s Economy
Miranda Smillie
11/10/14
Peru’s economy is mixed much like the US, it has some socialist and some capitalist qualities. The capitalist qualities would fall under the sub-heading of welfare capitalism. The government plays a part in centralized planning and regulates some of the economy, but there are private freedoms. The current president has so far, led business friendly policies, but has been pushing for more control in the economy. His administration wants to have control over the Spanish oil company Repsol. Right now what the government does is “provide equal access to basic services, employment and social security; reduce extreme poverty; prevent social conflicts; improve the surveillance of potential environmental damages; and reconnect with rural Peru through an extensive inclusion agenda.” It’s mostly the citizens of the country of Peru that control factors of production like land, labor, and capital.
The goals of the Peruvian economy are to grow, develop and maintain stability. The primary goal of a mixed economy is to accumulate wealthy. They have been achieving this goal in recent years through wise economic policies under the presidency of Humala. Peru’s economy is one of the best in Latin America, even today the GDP continues to grow and the poverty level continues to drop. Peru is one of the world’s biggest exporters of silver, copper, lead, and zinc. Their top industries are petroleum extraction and refining, mining and refining minerals, steel and metal fabrication. Peru has free trade policies and their biggest trade partners are China, the US, Canada, Japan, Spain and Chile.
Something they are attempting to fix is the fact that the wealth and economic prosperity they are experiencing in the coastal regions of the country is not spreading the rural areas. This is where the socialist qualities of the company come in. The president, Humala, has come up with a social inclusion policy to more equitably distribute income. Though is policy is in place, “poor infrastructure hinders the spread of growth.” Another problem faced by Peru is that the products that they export are very susceptible to fluctuations in the price of the items. So, if the price of zinc suddenly goes down Peru will lose an enormous amount of income.
Works Cited
“Encyclopedia of the Nations.” Peru Politics, Government, and Taxation, Information about Politics,
Government, and Taxation in Peru. Advameg, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
“Peru: Economy.” GlobalEDGE: Your Source for Global Business Knowledge. Michigan State University,
n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014
“Peru.” The World Bank. World Bank Group, 5 Nov. 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014
“Peru-Economy.” Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, 20 June 2014. Web. 08 Nov.
2014.
Taft-Morales, Maureen. “Socio-Economic Conditions.” Peru in Brief: Political and Economic Conditions
and Relations with the United States (2013): 6. Federation of American Scientists. Congressional
Research Service, 7 June 2013. Web. 08 Nov. 2014.
Picture: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Peru_Export_Treemap.png
Political System of Brazil
By: Kayla Tolbert
As we have learned a federal republic government is one who has a union of semi-autonomous states that share power with a centralized or national government. Brazil is a federal republic composed of 26 states and a federal district, with three tiers of government. Each state has its own government structure mirroring that at the federal level, and there are over 5,500 municipal councils. In a federal government the relationship between states and national government is defined by a written document or constitution. As the United States along with many other countries who operate within a federal system of government such as Russia, the country of Brazil abides by standards and principles of their written constitution which was most recently ratified on the fifth of October, 1988 in regards to governing the people.
Along with a federal republic the country of Brazil falls under the category of a direct democracy. As in a direct democracy, Brazil gives it people and citizens the right to change constitutional laws, put forth suggestions for laws, as well as giving binding orders to elective officials.
However, Brazil is not just limited to title as a direct democracy but a representative as well because Eligible citizens elect representatives in order to create laws for them. Those in power are elected by the residents of the country, who will vote in formal elections for one of a number of different parties Voting is universal and compulsory for all literate citizens aged from 18-70, and optional for those aged 16-17, over 70, or who are illiterate. Under Brazil’s constitution, the president and vice-president are elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms.
It is important to note that brazil has not always functioned and operated under this current system as it does now. In fact, Brazil’s political evolution from monarchy to democracy has not been smooth. Following independence in 1822, Brazil, unlike its South American neighbors, adopted constitutional monarchy as its form of government. “The new nation retained a slave-based, plantation economy, and political participation remained very limited.” In the years to follow there were several violent clashes over conflicting ideologies as to how the country should be run. Eventually after many long years of fighting and turmoil the military seized power in April 1964 and began twenty-one years of rule. Under its model of “relative democracy,”. At this point is where brazil began its new journey under a Federal/Republic/Direct-Representative/Democracy and still continues to grow and develop as a country.
Works Cited
Sources
“Brazil Politics – Intro.” Brazil Politics – Intro. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
“Brazil – Government and Politics.” Brazil – Government and Politics. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014
Picture
“Brazil’s Political System – Google Search.” Brazil’s Political System – Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
Peru’s Government
By: Miranda Smillie
Today Peru’s government is a constitutional republic. The president and the two vice president are elected by the people. The president is both chief of state and head of the government. They have a unicameral legislative branch composed of 130 people elected by popular vote. The president, vice president, and legislators all serve five year terms. The government does have three separate branches. Peru also has a prime minister, but he does not exercise any executive power. The government is unitary, however there are high authorities assigned at regional and local levels.
Peru has a violent political history. After being a part of the Incan Empire it was conquered by a man from Spain named Francisco Pizarro in 1533. On July 28th, 1821, the country got its independence from Spain. After independence was gained there were many revolts. In an attempt to establish order General Ramón Castilla assumed presidency in 1845. It did not go well and there were still many troubles in the government leading all the way up to World War II. After being a part of the Allied Powers the country had high hopes of becoming a real democracy. Peru approved the presidential candidacy of José Luis Bustamante y Rivero. He was a lawyer with liberal leanings. This hope was short lived however. In 1948 the government was overthrown again, this time by Manuel Odría. He claimed he thought the president’s lack of firmness in dealing with radicals was going to be detrimental to the country. He lead an authoritarian government until 1956. Under his leadership there was prosperity. In 1956 Manuel Prado was elected. After an election in 1962 being a three way tie, Fernando Belaúnde Terry won in 1963. The military forced Belaúnde to resign in 1968. From then until 1980 the country of Peru was under military rule. A new constitution was signed in 1979 and Belaúnde was re-elected in the 1980 election. Since then Peru has more or less been the republic it is today.
Works Cited:
Kus, James S. “Return to Civilian Rule.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.
“Peru.” Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, 20 June 2014. Web. 21 Sept.
2014.
“Peru.” : Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide &
Travel/Holidays/Cities. Pearson Edu., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014
Charged With Corruption
By: La’Davia Walker
Modern day Argentina is based under a civil law formation. Civil law is a widespread type of law practiced by most places in Asia, Africa, and South America. Followed by the basis of a civil law in Argentina, there the court system is inquisitorial. An inquisitorial system focuses more on the court itself investigating the case opposed to an adversarial system where the plaintiff and defendant are involved within the case at hand. Pretrial is highly important in this particular system because the trail itself relies on evidence. The judges in an inquisitorial court system must first decide if there is enough evidence for a trial process, the evidence will then be evaluated and the trial will proceed. The “rights to remain silent” and plea bargains are not permitted in the inquisitorial system. Remaining silent is a way of showing nonverbal guilt.
For example, let us look at the trial held against the Vice President of Argentina. Amado Boudou has been charged with the act of bribery as well as “conducting incompatible business with public office”. This crime is major because he is the first Vice President in Argentina to face criminal charges since Argentina has emerged from military dictatorship in 1983, thus leaving the successor of the 2015 election unclear. The Vice President is prejudged for the crime of conducting an under the table business with Ciccone Calcografica, a company that prints Argentina’s currency. It is highly common with an inquisitional type of court system to be prejudged and viewed as guilty prior to the trial itself. Federal Judge Ariel Lijo ruled that there was enough evidence on June 27th, 2014 to place Amado Boudou on trial simply beginning with abusing his authority. If found guilty Boudou would be removed and banned from office, he would also face six years imprisonment on corruption charges. On July 10th 2014, Amado Boudou appealed the indictment, claiming malicious prosecution.
The inquisitorial court system is beneficial because it dissects the trail based on evidence beforehand. This also eliminates the confusion of retrials and mistrials unlike the adversarial system. The adversarial system does not give the proper amount of power to highly trained judges like the inquisitorial system does. An adversarial system also favors competition where an inquisitorial system favors truth, facts, and is based on pure evidence.
Sources:
Alexander, Harriet. “Argentina’s vice president charged with corruption.” The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 28 June 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/argentina/10932974/Argentinas-vice-president-charged-with-corruption.html>.
“Argentinian vice-president Amado Boudou to testify in corruption case.” thegardian. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/08/judge-orders-argentina-vicepresident-amadou-boudou-testify-corruption-scandal>.
Zelman, Joanna. “Argentina’s Vice President Amado Boudou Charged With Bribery.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 June 2014. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/28/amado-boudou-bribery_n_5539125.html>.
Picture:
Kayla Tolbert
Mr. Young
Law Related Education Honors
15 September 2014
The county of Brazil abides and operates under civil law which was first introduced and implemented by the Portuguese during the period of colonization. Their legal system is based on codes and legislation which is primarily carried out by the federal legislature power along with legislatures from the states and municipalities.
The country of Brazil is a federative republic that is formed by the Union of States, municipalities, and the Federal District. In Brazil the Federal Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and is expected to to uphold the principles of the Constitution.
In Brazil a recent decision by the Supreme Court to absolve a former deputy’s crime brought an end to the Mensalao Trial. The country of Brazil jailed twelve senior figures convicted in the country’s biggest corruption trial, the Mensalao, which means “Big Monthly Allowance”. It was a scheme that used public funds to pay coalition parties for political support, where the central allegation was that illegal payments and benefits were paid to members of Congress in return for supporting the government in crucial votes.
During the process of this trial the adversarial system was most effective in considering evidence, the outcome,and punishment in this case.
Unlike the Inquisitorial System, evidence was gathered and examined by police and prosecutors instead of an independent prosecutor.
The Mensalao trial was highly based on mistrust of prosecution evidence which allowed for ample opportunity for points to be proven valid versus having a pretrial determine what evidence would be considered reliable and unreliable.
In addition to that it is my personal belief that courts should be limited in providing evidence of the history of defendants in order to prevent biased decisions. The strict rules of the adversarial system allowed for better and fair judgement to be determined without prior information that could perhaps deter, change, or alter judgement in carrying out punishment or charges in the Mensalao trial.
Throughout the case rights of the accused individuals were protected, individuals played the role of witnesses, and was not forced to give an opinion or plea bargain. The benefit of the adversarial system is that the trial was more fair and based on evidence which allowed for an option of choice rather than force.
Sources
“Brazil Mensalao Jailings Begin.” BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
“Folha De S.Paulo.” – Internacional. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
“Mensalão Scandal | Americas Quarterly.” Mensalão Scandal | Americas Quarterly. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
“Mensalao Scandal – Google Search.” Mensalao Scandal – Google Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Van Der Sloot Trial
9/15/14
By: Miranda Smillie
Peru has an inquisitional system based on civil law. Civil law is based on codifications written in a constitution or statute passed by legislature and that is seen as authoritative. It is based on Napoleonic code. A prosecutor investigates and a first instance judge determines if there is enough evidence for a trial. If so, another judge evaluates the facts, then, decides the guilt or innocence of the person on trial. The person on trial is presumed innocent. They can be present for their trial and also have the right to call witnesses and be represented by a counsel. In the inquisitional system there is no such thing as plea deals or bargains.
A Dutch man was put on trial in Peru for the 2010 murder of a 21 year old woman named Stephany Flores in early 2012. The murder happened in his hotel room in Lima, Peru. Five years after the disappearance of Natalie Holloway, a teen from Alabama. He was one of the last people to see her as well and was suspect in her disappearance. His name is Jordan Van Der Sloot. He had three judges and no jury. The prosecutor stated the facts and detailed the alleged crimes, then the judge spoke about the crimes and asked Van Der Sloot questions. His lawyer was allowed to speak in his defense saying the Van Der Sloot was “deeply regretful” of the charges against him. He admitted to the murder of Flores and got 28 years in prison. He also had to pay 74,500 dollars in reparations.
The inquisitional system is more just than the adversarial system because it is less about the arguments and competition between two lawyers and more about evidence. In an adversarial system lawyers lie, exclude information, do anything except change evidence or use bribery to protect their client. Their whole job is to argue basically. The inquisitional system is based solely on the evidence that is gathered and what it tells the judge about whether the crime occurred or not. In this way, there is less opportunity for misinformation. It’s a more effective way to serve justice.
Works Cited:
Guillermo Arthur, Guillermo. “The Adversarial System in Chile PAGE 1.”The Adversarial System in Chile
PAGE 1. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Staff, CNN Wire. “Van Der Sloot Sentenced to 28 Years for Peru Murder.”CNN. Cable News Network, 13
Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Staff, CNN Wire, InSession’s Jean Casarez, and Mayra Cuevas. “Van Der Sloot to Go on Trial for Murder
of Young Woman in Peru.” CNN. Cable News Network, 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
“Van Der Sloot Pleads Guilty, Says He Is ‘really Sorry’ for Peru Woman’s Murder.” This Just In RSS. Cable
News Network, 11 Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.
Photo:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/05/world/americas/peru-van-der-sloot-trial/index.html?iref=allsearch
Central and South America 
