Social and Economic Inequalities in Latin America
Social and Economic inequality are among the major problems faced by modern nations which could lead to political unrest. Social inequality is basically seen as a situation in which certain group of the country’s population (class, ethnic group etc.) enjoy certain privileges regarding to social goods such as education, health facilities, transportation, housing and so on. Economic inequality on the other hand also refers to as income inequality is a situations where individuals or group of people get more wealth in the nation than others. That is, uneven distribution of state resources. Social and economic inequality are therefore inseparable because ones economic status places him or her at a certain social class with distinct privileges.
Social and economic inequality is common in Latin America and other parts of the world including developed and developing countries. According to Fukuyama, one of the factors causing social and economic inequality is birth defect. In the colony of Latin America, colonial administration in these nations excluded certain portion of the population from political participation. This generated a degree of class system in which those who participated into politics were in the upper class, thus those favored by the colonial power. This system is also apparent in post-colonial states in the Latin America.
Another major factor causing social and economic inequalities as put by Fukuyama is that, there were weak land distribution policies in the Latin America. Argentina was one of the countries that fell under these conditions. Just as in Zimbabwe when Robert Mugabe took over power, he redistributed land to his own group members who couldn’t maintain the lands as the previous owners. This led to economic setback or crisis. In the eastern and northern hemispheres (Asia), countries like Taiwan and South Korea’s land reform policies and investment in universal education played significant role in their speedy development. Considering other parts of the world like Africa for instance, education is more of a privilege than a right. They have failed to provide for their population equal access to education, health care, and other social services. Which is why endemic poverty and diseases are common causes of human suffering and death in that part of the world. The lack of political inclusion also poses threat to state security and aids inequality in Latin America, Argentina as an example. Like Britain among others, political positions are meant for certain class of people or family (the royal family – Queen Elizabeth’s family). This excludes other families from attaining such positions thereby resulting in the maintenance of inequality and social injustices.
The different levels or income thus wealth or the distribution of resources in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa including many others areas, creates a recipe for chaos and or political unrest. A nation where citizens feel deprived of state benefits or resources or where a small portion or the few live in a more conducive life serves as a breeding ground for conflict. This is because only the few privileged people who are economically highly placed will be able to afford the cost of social services such as education, healthcare, safe drinking water, electricity, and the likes. The nature of gap that lies between people as a result of social and economic inequalities leads to conflict which negatively affect democratization. For instance, the conflicts in Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Columbia, and so on are said to be partly attributed to social and economic disparities among citizens.
Fukuyama also postulated that evasion of tax by the rich and wealthy people also affect economic viability or growth in the country’s economy. So many rich and business people in Mexico for instance could not pay taxes for their goods. This makes them move richer at the detriment of the state and the people.
In other enhance social and economic equality in Latin American and other parts of the world, states should vigorously reform social and economic policies. For instance, land redistribution policies in Argentina and other nations should be done in the interest of all and not just the selected few as the case of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Also, education of policies should provide for universal education through which all individuals are given the opportunity to acquire education that will help them to become self-reliant. Education should therefore become a right not a privilege. There should also be equal opportunity for people for all citizens in a state with regards of attaining political positions. For instance, the monarchical system as in Britain offers certain privileges and rights to the royal family which continues to maintain the social inequality, because only the royal family has the rights to the throne. Therefore to maintain social equality, there should be no specific or particular positions to special people or family, hence all political positions should be contested for by all citizens.
States institutions such as the police, court, electoral body, anti-corruption, civil rights commissions and so on should be strengthened or independent in the dispensation of their duties and or responsibilities. This will further help to enhance equal treatment and distribution of state resources to all citizens without fear or favor. Thus enhance social and economic equality and democratic consolidation.