Latin American businessmen are proposing franchising a 'political-corporate' development scheme to counter the prevailing 'Chavez model'.
Panama's new government, headed by successful entrepreneur Ricardo Martinelli, might be an example of the political model proposed by the latest CEAL Assembly (Latin American Business Council).
An article by Norma Lezcano and Alberto López in Estrategiaynegocios.net explains that Latin America's businessmen feel the need to react against the "XXI Century Socialism" fostered by the president of Venezuela. They propose alternative development models based on "free enterprise principles; civil liberties; respect for democracy; human rights and self-determination of each country; and socially responsible economic growth".
Beyond appearances and the sense of belonging in Latin America, there are at least two Latin Americas when it comes to culture, politics and economy.
The establishment of democracy in the new Latin America is a vital metamorphosis that for a long time was not expected. Is its a historical refutation of those ideologists who condemn some nations to despotism in name of some not so well known cultural differentiation? It is also a refutation of those ultra-liberals in Latin America, wayward disciples of Milton Friedman who for a long time preferred the "illustrated despotism" of the generals in order to get to the market economy: Pinochetism is now presented as a local accident, not as a need.
The country's 2007-2008 Human Development Report will be presented today by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
Slight economic growth in the country between 1980 and 2007 and unresolved social problems involving inequality and poverty "demonstrate how the Guatemalan economic model has failed", the Report states.
The document further indicates that the country has had economic growth levels below average world and regional figures of 2.7 percent between 1980 and 2007, According to the study "they will require 27 years to double their Gross National Product (GNP)"
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