UNREST MAGAZINE

Latin America’s increasingly important relationship with China has resulted in trade surpluses for most South American countries and in trade deficits for the rest. Nevertheless the most important characteristic of the relationship is the nature of the goods being traded and the effect this is having on the Chinese and Latin American economies. China tends to import raw materials and low value added products from Latin America, while Latin America imports consumer products such as garments and electronic devices from China. Latin America now has a choice between continuing to export low value added products resulting in continued dependence and vulnerability to fluctuations in the world market or following the Chinese and Japanese example of investing considerable resources in research and development so as to gradually move up the value chain. Latin America can learn from the experiences of China, Japan, and the Asian Tigers so as to avoid a looming development trap.
Read More…

As someone that likes to travel, I am aware that tourism, as any form of commercial venture, is itself an exploitative activity. We are using a culture for our enjoyment; and we have the capital to do so, which we flaunt in the face of those we meet. Furthermore, after traveling the world and experiencing many regions of the world in a variety of capacities and levels of comfort, I understand that some forms of tourism are more exploitative than others. However, I do believe I felt the whole range of exploitation during a trip through China, and never so much like the embodiment of the dark-side of American citizen mission work as when I toured a cloisonne factory.
Read More…