The Poverty of Progress
The 19th century was an extremely difficult period for Latin America. It was a period of considerable changes in economy and cultural life and conflicts that were caused by elite’s desire to follow the United States and Europe and to achieve industrialization and capitalization. It is obvious that some of those changes had positive results; however, the majority of them led to huge problems and opposition from the low class. Bradford Burns in his book The Poverty of Progress shows the disadvantages of elite preferences for progress and proves that capitalization was not the best way of development of Latin America as mentioned in exploratory paper example
Progress is the key word for understanding the history and enlargement of Latin America in the 19th century (Burns 18). The elite society aimed to create an economy and a state that would be similar to the European model. Their goal was to industrialize the market, create a strong economy and change the whole structure of government. Those powerful people had an influence not only on other people but also on the administration. Their impact over the continent was impressing and huge. The ideas of elite were the main root of all changes and innovations of the 19th century.
Elite preference for progress is a desire to build a new world that would be opposite to previous standards and outlook. They tended to use the European sample of management and economy to create their own strong society. However, their aim was highly materialistic. They cared only for money and sought only the ways of earning more. It is fair to say that they tended to treat other people, particularly from the low classes, as a tool that could help them achieve their aims.
The preference for progress copies the method of development of other industrialized countries. Elite of Latin America decided to use the model, but they did not think about the consequences. They neglected the possibility of developing dependence on the countries whose samples they used.
Elite preference for progress was a selfish action. They destroyed lives of millions of people. The majority of society was in opposition to capitalization because they understood that the way of life which was similar and native for them would be destroyed. As a result of elite’s carelessness about poor people, representatives of low classes were left without any way of making a living. Elite were buying the land in exchange for a little money. Many people were jobless because of the old market was destroyed, whereas a new one was built at a slow pace. The land was always important for Latin Americans, and they just did not know what to do without it.
Elite assumed that they were creating a new world; however, they forgot that something that was copied could not be called ‘new’. Although Latin America needed improvement, powerful people had to compose their own model of ideal society and economy that would be acceptable for the Latin American society.
The outcomes of progress were highly negative. There were so many different conflicts that the whole continent was tired of all that quarrels and oppositions. The most important conflicts were the Paraguayan War and the War of the Pacific. As a result, there was a demographic collapse, and the life conditions became even worse than before. Usual people had to face cruelty and depression. There were many murders. The whole Latin America was divided into small states that strived for different outcomes.
The only one who was to blame was the elite. Their preference for progress was an ill-considered decision. While desiring to improve the situation, they forgot that the mentality of Latin Americans was completely different from European. The elite ignored the needs of people from low classes, and it was their main problem.
Except for wars and conflicts, there was another huge national problem. Latin America became dependent on other countries. They invested money to help the country to solve its problems but, in turn, they wanted to control it. Europe and the USA ruled Latin America and made decisions that were beneficial for them. Obviously, they also ignored the needs of usual people and caused even more conflicts and oppositions.
The 19th century was a strange times. While becoming independent, Latin America lost its ability to make own decisions. Elite preference for capitalization was a rude mistake. Powerful people often forget that all people are equal, and even their money cannot save them from all the consequences of their selfish decisions. They were jealous of success of other countries and wanted to resemble them. They should have combined their desire with the needs of poor people and the mentality of Latin Americans. It is impossible to force people to live in such way that is alien for them and urges them to forget all their traditions and their way of life.
Burns proves that industrialization was not a positive process. Obviously, it has enhanced technical development and made the society more moderns and willing to create something new. However, the price of progress was too huge, and the results were poor.
The title of Burns’s book The Poverty of Progress is a perfect metaphor for the history of Latin America in the 19th century. The progress was extremely low there. It had a low race, was restrictive and had a great opposition. Poor people, who hoped for better living, became even poorer and more desperate. Elite preference for progress and its outcomes are a bright example of human short-sightedness and inability to create something new. Elite’s selfishness and commercialism brought awful achievements.
In conclusion, Burns’s book The Poverty of Progress is a resource that helps to understand what the elite preference for progress was and what results it produced. He criticizes capitalization and shows its negative impact for majority of Latin Americans. The consequences of preference for progress were wars and conflicts, which made the society fight and divided the continent into small states that were unable to solve their problems. Poor people suffered from elite’s egoistic dreams. It is fair to say that elite’s actions caused deterioration of economy, culture, life and even mentality of the whole Latin America. Only after many years, the continent became capable of improvement and development.
Progress is the key word for understanding the history and enlargement of Latin America in the 19th century (Burns 18). The elite society aimed to create an economy and a state that would be similar to the European model. Their goal was to industrialize the market, create a strong economy and change the whole structure of government. Those powerful people had an influence not only on other people but also on the administration. Their impact over the continent was impressing and huge. The ideas of elite were the main root of all changes and innovations of the 19th century.
Elite preference for progress is a desire to build a new world that would be opposite to previous standards and outlook. They tended to use the European sample of management and economy to create their own strong society. However, their aim was highly materialistic. They cared only for money and sought only the ways of earning more. It is fair to say that they tended to treat other people, particularly from the low classes, as a tool that could help them achieve their aims.
The preference for progress copies the method of development of other industrialized countries. Elite of Latin America decided to use the model, but they did not think about the consequences. They neglected the possibility of developing dependence on the countries whose samples they used.
Elite preference for progress was a selfish action. They destroyed lives of millions of people. The majority of society was in opposition to capitalization because they understood that the way of life which was similar and native for them would be destroyed. As a result of elite’s carelessness about poor people, representatives of low classes were left without any way of making a living. Elite were buying the land in exchange for a little money. Many people were jobless because of the old market was destroyed, whereas a new one was built at a slow pace. The land was always important for Latin Americans, and they just did not know what to do without it.
Elite assumed that they were creating a new world; however, they forgot that something that was copied could not be called ‘new’. Although Latin America needed improvement, powerful people had to compose their own model of ideal society and economy that would be acceptable for the Latin American society.
The outcomes of progress were highly negative. There were so many different conflicts that the whole continent was tired of all that quarrels and oppositions. The most important conflicts were the Paraguayan War and the War of the Pacific. As a result, there was a demographic collapse, and the life conditions became even worse than before. Usual people had to face cruelty and depression. There were many murders. The whole Latin America was divided into small states that strived for different outcomes.
The only one who was to blame was the elite. Their preference for progress was an ill-considered decision. While desiring to improve the situation, they forgot that the mentality of Latin Americans was completely different from European. The elite ignored the needs of people from low classes, and it was their main problem.
Except for wars and conflicts, there was another huge national problem. Latin America became dependent on other countries. They invested money to help the country to solve its problems but, in turn, they wanted to control it. Europe and the USA ruled Latin America and made decisions that were beneficial for them. Obviously, they also ignored the needs of usual people and caused even more conflicts and oppositions.
The 19th century was a strange times. While becoming independent, Latin America lost its ability to make own decisions. Elite preference for capitalization was a rude mistake. Powerful people often forget that all people are equal, and even their money cannot save them from all the consequences of their selfish decisions. They were jealous of success of other countries and wanted to resemble them. They should have combined their desire with the needs of poor people and the mentality of Latin Americans. It is impossible to force people to live in such way that is alien for them and urges them to forget all their traditions and their way of life.
Burns proves that industrialization was not a positive process. Obviously, it has enhanced technical development and made the society more moderns and willing to create something new. However, the price of progress was too huge, and the results were poor.
The title of Burns’s book The Poverty of Progress is a perfect metaphor for the history of Latin America in the 19th century. The progress was extremely low there. It had a low race, was restrictive and had a great opposition. Poor people, who hoped for better living, became even poorer and more desperate. Elite preference for progress and its outcomes are a bright example of human short-sightedness and inability to create something new. Elite’s selfishness and commercialism brought awful achievements.
In conclusion, Burns’s book The Poverty of Progress is a resource that helps to understand what the elite preference for progress was and what results it produced. He criticizes capitalization and shows its negative impact for majority of Latin Americans. The consequences of preference for progress were wars and conflicts, which made the society fight and divided the continent into small states that were unable to solve their problems. Poor people suffered from elite’s egoistic dreams. It is fair to say that elite’s actions caused deterioration of economy, culture, life and even mentality of the whole Latin America. Only after many years, the continent became capable of improvement and development.
Go to Profile
Mark as Read