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The Dig
Oligarchy, Empire, Revolution w/ Hilary Goodfriend & Jorge Cuéllar
Nov 3, 2024
Hilary Goodfriend, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and Jorge Cuéllar, a Dartmouth College professor, dive into the turbulent history of Central America. They discuss the rise of export-crop oligarchies and US military interventions that reshaped the region. The conversation highlights key events like the CIA-backed coup in Guatemala and the Sandinista Revolution. They also explore the socio-political impacts of American imperialism and the ongoing struggles for democracy and human rights in Central America.
01:55:29
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Quick takeaways
- The legacy of Spanish colonialism created enduring economic disparities in Central America, entrenching social hierarchies that favored elites over marginalized populations.
- U.S. interests aggressively intervened in Central America throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, establishing control through military actions and support for local oligarchies.
Deep dives
The Unequal Foundations of Central America
Spanish colonialism laid a foundation of economic disparity in Central America, distinctly impacting the region's socio-political landscape. The colonial economy was largely extractive, relying on indigenous labor to produce goods like gold, silver, and later, coffee and bananas for export, which left local populations marginalized. After independence, these inequalities were cemented by the emergence of oligarchical rule, with a stratified social hierarchy that predominantly benefited the elites. This underdeveloped economy fostered a political environment characterized by authoritarianism and constant elite conflict, ultimately paving the way for foreign intervention.
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