Safe Democracy Foundation - Safe Democracy

The progress that Peru has experienced since Alan García regained the presidency is obvious: to the latest economic results (production growth, low inflation rate and proper fiscal discipline) we must add the FTA with the United States and the election of Lima as the host of the Fifth European Union-Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit, as well as the APEC summit. Even with all of this, the recent cases of corruption indicate that there is still a lot left to do, beginning with reform of the public, education, and health sectors, which is a major pending task.

No one disputes the growing weight of the emerging Indian giant in the economic scene and global geopolitics. However, if India is to achieve a more influential position on the international level, it must strengthen its democratic system and be aware of the need to confront inequality and injustice with ambitious long-term policies. It is faced with an imbalance that cannot be resolved by its macroeconomic growth alone, regardless of how spectacular it may be.

• Southeast Asia reduces poverty, but increases inequality
  por Viviana Malvina Sosa

Isolated for so long, and lacking a political culture on which to force democratic values, Paraguay needs help and support from its neighbors in order to move forward. This is especially needed from Brazil, the obligatory country of reference for Paraguayans, and one of the few countries that are capable of positively influencing the management of what will be the new government after the presidential elections in April.

Brazil, just like other emerging countries, is experiencing an shortage of infrastructure, which is hindering its economic growth. For this reason, President Lula’s government launched the Growth Acceleration Plan (PAC in its Portuguese initials) exactly one year ago: a four year, 190 billion euro investment plan that hopes to achieve the goal of a GDP economic growth rate of 5 percent between 2007 and 2010.

The electoral battle between president José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (PSOE) and opposition leader Mariano Rajoy (Partido Popular) is intensifying. The foreseeable economic slowdown in 2008, the rise in prices, the growth of the foreign deficit, and the slump in the real-estate sector signal the end of a cycle and show competitiveness problems. The second big topic is the antiterrorist fight: despite not going through a good period (thanks to political and judicial action), it would not be unlikely for ETA to carry out terrorist acts before the elections.

According to the author, recovering Argentina has been doing better and better ever since its economy became a mostly cash/equity game (while having very little consumer credit and very little foreign, national, corporate and mortgage debt), and the United States is bound to discover that its cure for anemic economic growth (credit) just might turn out to be toxic in the long run.

• The Globalization of Brazil
  por Marcelo Luchino
• The Challenges of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Foreign Policy
  por Luciano Anzelini

The author argues that far from being isolated, Iran is embedded in myriad political and economic relations with global outreach. Sanctioning Iran is thus a futile strategy and needs to be substituted with a systematic effort to establish diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran, once the belligerent Bush and Ahmadinejad administrations leave office.

Why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is much more than just a fad. An in depth study of the structural forces that are bringing businesses in developed countries towards more social responsibly. What is demanded of today’s corporations regarding familial responsibility and the paradox of Latin America.

• More Corporate Responsibility
  por Bernardo Kliksberg
• Climate Change Hits the Poorest, Hardest
  por Bernardo Kliksberg
• Obscene Disparities
  por Bernardo Kliksberg

No one doubts the overwhelmingly strong force that is the current Brazilian economy. Brazil’s production represents a third of the total of Latin America. Large local conglomerates in the sectors of iron and steel, mining, oil, and manufacturing are paving the way toward globalization. However, optimism decreases upon reviewing some empirical data. Why economic growth less than expected, including a 5 percent average growth rate, one inferior to its neighbors. Is it the responsibility of the Central Bank of Brazil and its monetary policy? Divisions among analysts.

• Venezuela does not want another Putin
  por Iraxis Bello
• Hope for Guatemala?
  por Javier Bernabé
• The Challenges of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Foreign Policy
  por Luciano Anzelini
• Rafael Correa and the "mother of all battles"
  por Juan Pablo Morales Viteri
• Nicaragua, Second Sandinista Government
  por Augusto Zamora R.