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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, APRIL 22, 1983
PAGE 12
Economically, the United States used its wealth and resources to
industrialize, while in Latin America, the rulers continued to
export their raw materials and to buy manufactured products. The
different work ethics of the two regions had a profound influence
on the economies.
The Protestant work ethic in the u.S. was
based on thrift and the saved wealth became the force of capital
ism. In Latin America, however, the work ethic was centered on
maintaining the ruling classes in power.
What did Latin Americans do about the humiliating contrast with
their neighbor to the north? They first accused the U.S. of only
caring about material things and thinking about money. Latin
America in turn, viewed herself as a haven for culture, refine
ment and good taste. Later, with the coming of Communist theory,
a better excuse was provided. Latin Americans charged the U.S.
with exploitation of the poorer nations. The reason that Latin
America was impoverished, it was reasoned, was due to the U.S.
stripping away their wealth. It was also argued that American
imperialism stifled their political and military strength.
This current of thought matured in the 1950s and the 1960s with
the "Yankee go home" mentality. It has filtered into the educa
tional system throughout Latin America, and the present genera
tion has been sown with the seeds of resentment and envy. Thus
today, Latin America prefers to call itself, "nonaligned" rather
than having to walk in the shadow of its more powerful "younger
brother."
It is with this background in mind that one can understand the
love-hate relationship between these two neighboring regions, and
why, regai::dless of whatever event occurs from Mexico through
strife-torn Central America and down to the tip of South America,
usually it is the U.S. which will take the brunt of the blame.
Obviously this complex background to U.S.-Latin American relations doesn't
make President Reagan's job vis-a-vis Central America any easier. Moscow,
on the other hand, can capitalize on widespread anti-American policy
(whipped up continuously in Latin American universities) to its own long
range advantage.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau