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Globalization and Costa Rica
Costa Rica has been one of the most peaceful and neutral of the Latin American nations. It has had relative stability for most its 190 years of existence. However, like most nations in world today, Costa Rica is connected to the rest of the world through globalization. This globalization has made Costa Rica interdependent with other nations. It has also had both negative and positive effects in the country.
Probably the most obvious interdependence of Costa Rica is its tourism. Costa Rica now heavily depends on tourism to bring money and people to the country. Costa Rica provides many tourism opportunities and in return receives economic growth in the tourism sector. By establishing a national park system that makes up 25% of the entire country, Costa Rica is able to protect lush and exotic flora and fauna that make up 5% of the world's biodiversity (the country itself makes up only 1% of the worlds land mass). They have paved the way for and encourage the spread of ecotourism: a more people and planet friendly way to enjoy what the country has to offer. By nationally protecting the vast riches that the country naturally possesses and laying the foundation for tourism to flourish in a more natural, eco-friendly manner, Costa Rica exudes an openness and hospitality not easily found in other developing countries.
Because of its educational level, Costa Rica has become a hotspot for technology and pharmaceutical development. Previously Costa Rica focused on its agricultural sector but has recently announced a 7 year plan for technological development giving tax credits to companies like Intel and Proctor & Gamble, which sees in the country's location the key factor for their choice: Costa Rica has direct ocean access to the rest of Latin America, the US, Western Europe, South-East Asia, and Russia.
All of these examples of interdependence has brought modernization and economic development to the country. However, there are some negatives to globalization.
The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the USA (at this point not ratified yet by the US Congress due to public pressure) has become one of the issues of controversy and division among the population. Costa Ricans' especially treasure the state-run telecommunications and power companies, as well as their universal health insurance system, which could be negatively impacted by the action of transnational corporations favored by CAFTA.
Also, Costa Rica's economic dependence on tourism has encouraged a rapid growth of large scale beach resorts and real estate development, especially on its west coast, thus generating conflict between local communities and developers over the use of water, (a resource that is becoming increasingly scarce in the region) as well as generating land disputes as a result of public land privatization.
Citation:
Probably the most obvious interdependence of Costa Rica is its tourism. Costa Rica now heavily depends on tourism to bring money and people to the country. Costa Rica provides many tourism opportunities and in return receives economic growth in the tourism sector. By establishing a national park system that makes up 25% of the entire country, Costa Rica is able to protect lush and exotic flora and fauna that make up 5% of the world's biodiversity (the country itself makes up only 1% of the worlds land mass). They have paved the way for and encourage the spread of ecotourism: a more people and planet friendly way to enjoy what the country has to offer. By nationally protecting the vast riches that the country naturally possesses and laying the foundation for tourism to flourish in a more natural, eco-friendly manner, Costa Rica exudes an openness and hospitality not easily found in other developing countries.
Because of its educational level, Costa Rica has become a hotspot for technology and pharmaceutical development. Previously Costa Rica focused on its agricultural sector but has recently announced a 7 year plan for technological development giving tax credits to companies like Intel and Proctor & Gamble, which sees in the country's location the key factor for their choice: Costa Rica has direct ocean access to the rest of Latin America, the US, Western Europe, South-East Asia, and Russia.
All of these examples of interdependence has brought modernization and economic development to the country. However, there are some negatives to globalization.
The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the USA (at this point not ratified yet by the US Congress due to public pressure) has become one of the issues of controversy and division among the population. Costa Ricans' especially treasure the state-run telecommunications and power companies, as well as their universal health insurance system, which could be negatively impacted by the action of transnational corporations favored by CAFTA.
Also, Costa Rica's economic dependence on tourism has encouraged a rapid growth of large scale beach resorts and real estate development, especially on its west coast, thus generating conflict between local communities and developers over the use of water, (a resource that is becoming increasingly scarce in the region) as well as generating land disputes as a result of public land privatization.
Citation:
- Costa Rica: Background | Global Exchange. (n.d.). Costa Rica: Background | Global Exchange. Retrieved October 31, 2013, from http://www.globalexchange.org/country/cost
Explain the role of men and women in the country.
Although men and woman equality is greater then most Latin American countries, Costa Rican ideas towards "machismo" culture still reigns. It is considered that women are weaker then men, so the women must stay home and care for the children, cook, clean, and house keep while the men go and be the breadwinners of the family. Women were only recently given the right to vote, some 51 years ago. However, gender equality has steadily been achieved in Costa Rica. In 1994, Costa Rica passed the a law for Promoting the Women's Social Equality prohibited discrimination and established a women's rights office. In fact, women have a prominent role in Costa Rican politics. Costa Rica's first ever woman president is Laura Chinchilla, who was elected into office in 2010. Gender relations are at a crossroads in Costa Rica. It tends to hold on to some aspects of the more traditional "machismo" traditions of the past while being more progressive towards woman's roles, compared to other Latin American nations.
Citation:
Infocostarica Staff . (n.d) retrieved September 16 2013, from http://www.infocostarica.com/people/women.html
Edelman , Marc (2007, April, 2). Costa Rica . retrieved September 16 2013, from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Costa-Rica.html
Citation:
Infocostarica Staff . (n.d) retrieved September 16 2013, from http://www.infocostarica.com/people/women.html
Edelman , Marc (2007, April, 2). Costa Rica . retrieved September 16 2013, from http://www.everyculture.com/Bo-Co/Costa-Rica.html