COURSE SYLLABUS: LATIN AMERICA IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Partner Institution: University of Belgrano

Course Title: Latin America in the Global Economy

Sessions Offered: Fall Semester, Spring Semester

Instructional in: English

Prerequisites: None

Classroom Contact Hours: 45 contact hours

College Credit (Semester Credit Hours): 3 credit hours

College Credit (Quarter Units): 4 quarter units

Local Department: Program in Argentine and Latin American Studies (PALAS)

Course Number: PALAS 400

Course Description

The course offers an overview of the international relations of the Latin American countries in relation to the world globalized economies; i.e.: European Union (EU), NAFTA and ASEAN. Main aspects to be taken into account are: economic cooperation, trade issues, business development and socio-political aspects. Although all the regions will be taken into account, a special stress will be put not only in the cases of the economic relations with the E.U., NAFTA and ASEAN, but also within the Latin American Region and in the role of international organizations and multinational corporations in the economic development. The prospects of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as economic leaders of the world will also be addressed. The analysis will be complemented with selected case studies: Knowledge and Development; Economy and the Environment; Technology Transfer and the Role of Multi-National Companies.

Course Requirements

Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of Micro and Macroeconomics to take this course. During the first week, a Level Test (written) will be taken. A 75% Attendance to classes is mandatory to keep the regular student status. An electronic system keeps track of attendance.

Students have to slide an electronic card every class to comply with attendance policy.

Program Schedule

WEEK 1. Introductory Classes (#1: Tuesdays; #2: Thursdays)

1.1.- Presentation of the Course: analysis of contents and work program.

1.2.- Level Evaluation (Written Test). Scheme of the Oral Presentations and Time Schedule

WEEK 2. Evolution of the International Economic Relations

2.1.- The evolution of the economic science. From the “Three Worlds of Economics” to present day

”Global Economy”. The “Economic Convergence”

2.2.- The “New Wealth of Nations” and “The Two Capitalisms”. The future of capitalism in the present context of globalization (positive and negative aspects).

WEEK 3. Internal Factors that affect Latin American Economies

3.1.- Analysis of the Internal factors that affect the economic relations between L. A. (and other less developed countries) with the industrial countries (Europe, USA, ASEAN).

3.2.- The “Inverted Pyramid” of LAC. BEGINNING OF THE ORAL PRESENTATIONS PERIOD (OP)

WEEK 4. External factors that affect L. A. Economies

4.1.- Analysis of the External Factors that affect the economic relations between L. A. (and other LDC´s) with the industrial countries (IC´s).

4.2.- The crisis of globalization: Asia 1997, Rusia 1998, Argentina 2001(“The Fairy Tale”). The Global Crisis (2008 +). The European Crisis (2010). (OP)

WEEK 5. The Role of International Organizations. Objectives and proposals for L.A.C.

5.1.- The International Monetary Fund (IMF), The World Bank (IBRD), The World Trade Organization (WTO) and others in L.A. economic relations.

5.2.- Objectives and proposals for the L. A. Countries in the next decade. (OP)

WEEK 6. Knowledge and Information

6.1.- Knowledge and Information: The three main gaps. The role of Europe, USA and ASEAN, in narrowing the gap with the less developed countries; the role of international organizations.

6.2.- Proposals of policies to be implemented in the 21st Century.

WEEK 7: Technology Transfer (TT). The Role of Multinational Companies in TT

7.1.- Technology transfer: Introduction; types of TT; key factors in TT.

7.2.- Foreign direct investment (FDI). The role of multinational corporations in TT. Two-Way TT.

WEEK 8: Economy and the Environment

8.1.- General considerations. The role of governments and international organizations.

8.2.- Sustainable development. The economics of environmental control.

WEEK 9. Economic integration and globalization.

9.1.- First and Second Generation Economic Schemes in Latin America. From ALALC to MERCOSUR.

9.2.- The prospects of a South American Union (UNASUR/ BANSUR). The effects of the global crisis. (OP)

WEEK 10: 10.1.-MID-TERM WRITTEN EVALUATION. 10.2.- Delivery of Grades. (OP)

WEEK 11. Economic Integration between MERCOSUR and The European Union (E.U.)

11.1.- A picture of the E.U. and its relations with L.A. The Framework Agreement EU – MERCOSUR

11.2.- Prospects of integration in a global context. The role of the WTO. (OP)

WEEK 12. The Pan American Integration Case

12.1.- From the “Alliance for Progress” to the “Initiative for the Americas”. Present situation of NAFTA.

12.2.- The proposal and future prospects of a Free Trade Association of the Americas (FTAA / ALCA).(OP)

WEEK 13. The Case of Asia: from ASEAN 6 thru ASEAN 15.

13.1.- Present status of the business and trade negotiations between L. A. and Asia

13.2.- The China - Argentina Case.The prospects of China and India (plus Russia and Brazil >> the BRIC Countries) as economic leaders of the world. (OP)

WEEK 14. Case Study. Conclusions and Recommendations. Pre-Final Exam.

14.1.- Case Study: Trade Facilitation between Latin America and Europe. (OP)

14.2.- END OF TERM EVALUATION (written test)

WEEK 15. Delivery of Partial Grades and FINAL EXAMINATION.

15.1.- Delivery of End of Term Exam Grades (and Comments on the Oral Presentations)

15.2.- FINAL EXAM (written or oral). NOTE: Students Attendance is compulsory

Analytical Program

Chapter 1 : Course Introduction. Evolution of the international economic relations: from “The three Worlds of Economics” to the ” Global Economy”. The “New Wealth of Nations” and “The Two  capitalisms”. The future of capitalism in the present context of globalization (positive and negative aspects).

Chapter 2 : Internal and external factors that affect the economic relations between Latin America/ /L.A.

(and other LDC´s), with the industrial countries (I.C´s.: USA, EU, ASEAN). The crisis of globalization: Asia, Russia, Argentina, the 2008 Global Crisis. The 2010 global crisis. The role of international organizations (IMF, OMC, World Bank, and others). Objectives for Latin American countries in the next decade.

Chapter 3 : Economic integration and globalization. First and second generation economic integration

schemes in L. A.. From ALALC (LAFTA) to MERCOSUR: economic growth and investment opportunities. The prospects of a South American Union. The effects of the world crises.

Chapter 4 : The economic integration between L. A. and the European Union. A brief picture of the E.U.  and the evolution of its relations with L.A. The case of the Framework Agreement between MERCOSUR and the E.U.. Present situation and future prospects of L.A. and E.U. The Role of the WTO (Doha Round of negotiations) in the integration processes.

Chapter 5 : The Pan-American Case: from the “Alliance for Progress” to the “Initiative for the Americas”.

Present situation of NAFTA. The proposal and future prospects of a Free Trade Association of the Americas (FTAA / ALCA). The Mar del Plata and other recent Summits.

Chapter 6 :The Case of Asia: from ASEAN 6 thru ASEAN 15. Present status of the business and trade

negotiations between Asia and Latin America (the China – Argentina Case). The prospects of China and

India (plus Russia and Brazil >> the BRIC Countries) as economic leaders of the world.

Chapter 7 : SPECIAL SUBJECTS: (i) Knowledge and Information : the role of Europe, USA and ASEAN, in narrowing the gap with the less developed countries; (ii) Technology transfer and foreign direct investments, the role of multinational corporations; (iii) Economy and the Environment; (iv) New concepts in international business and trade: Case Study on Trade Facilitation between L. A. and the E.U.

Bibliography (Text and Materials)

• ROGER, José Gustavo; “ The Latin American International Relations in a context of Economic

Globalization” ; International Management Program, Reims Management School (IMP / RMS); Reims,

France, 2007. An updated Version is available at the University of Belgrano Bookstore, under the Title:

“The Latin American Role in a context of Economic Globalization”, 2009. (Not available in Internet).

Complementary Bibliography

• Albert, Michel ; “Capitalisme contre Capitalisme” ; Ed. Seuil ; Paris, Last Edition.

• Brzezinski, Zbigniew; “Out of Control. Global Turmoil on the Eve of the 21st. Century”; Scribner N.Y., 1993.

• Giddens, Anthony; “The Third Way”; Cambridge, England, 1998.

• Gilpin, Robert; “The Political Economy of International Relations”; Princeton Univ. Press; Last edition.

• The World Bank; “World Development Report”.Yearly publication; Washington, USA. See Websites also.

• Hosono, Akio; “ASEAN, MERCOSUR and the Possibilities of Cooperation East Asia – Latin America”; IDB / INTAL, IV Meeting of the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies; Buenos Aires, September 2000.

• Porter, Michael; “The Competitive Advantage of Nations”; Free Press; N. Y., 1998

• Roger, José Gustavo; “Argentina, América Latina y la Globalización Económica” ; Ediciones Lumiere;

Buenos Aires, 2004. (Updated UB paperback version: 2009).

• Roger, José Gustavo; ”Transferencia de Tecnología. Rol de las Empresas Multi –Nacionales”; Editorial

Universidad de Belgrano, Buenos Aires, 2009

• Roger, José Gustavo; ”Educación para el Desarrollo. Recursos Humanos”; Editorial Universidad de

Belgrano, Buenos Aires, 2009

• Soros, George; “The New Paradigm for Financial Markets: The Credit Crisis of 2008”; Public Affairs; New York, 2008. (Complementary Text, also by Soros : “The Crisis of Global Capitalism”).

• Stiglitz, Joseph ; “Globalization and its Discontents” ; W.W. Norton and Company ; London and New York , 2003.

• Thurow, Lester; “The Future of Capitalism”; Ed. William Morrow and Co.; N. Y., 1996.

Websites

• ALADI – Online : < www.aladi.org >

• CEI – Online : MERCOSUR 2002 and 2003 (in English only) : < www.cei..gov.ar >

• Inter American Development Bank – Online : < www.iadb.org >

• MERCOSUR – Online : < www.mercosur.com >

• The World Bank – Online : < www.worldbank.org >

• The IMF – Online : < www.imf.org >

• World Trade Organization – Online : < www.wto.org >

Course Evaluation

Oral Presentations (OP), Attendance and Participation 30 %

Mid-Term Exam 30 %

Final Exam 40 %

Contact Information:

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