September 27, 2005
Luna Leads Latin American Revival at Fletcher
With a renewed interest in Latin American studies among faculty and students, The Fletcher School has recently made a commitment to foster growth in the field by welcoming one of Peru’s most decorated career diplomats, Ricardo Luna, to help lead the revival.As adjunct professor of Latin American affairs and one of Fletcher’s newest faculty members, Luna says his research aims to find the best way to “sustain contemporary information on the changes and issues in U.S.-Latin American relations,” mostly in South America.
Particular research interests include his native Andean region and the challenge of consolidating democratic processes, as well as overcoming obstacles to progress, such as violence and drugs. “All of these could affect the stability of the democratic regimes in the Andean region and in South America in general,” says Luna.
Luna also aims to explore the relationship between market reforms and alleviating poverty. “The issue of inequality has become worse rather than better, with very few exceptions—for example, Chile,” he says.
Luna considers his research important now because “all of this is taking place at a time when natural resources and other products of exports – not just commodities, but agribusiness – are moving through South America, where there’s a whole series of trade initiatives, both multilateral and bilateral.”
Along with trade initiatives comes the inevitable perception of marginalization by some countries and ethnic groups. Luna predicts such resistance will at one point mobilize into a political movement headed by leaders like Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. “Because of the fact he has financial resources based on oil, [Chavez] is becoming a populist model to which new generations, who are not familiar with the failures of past populist movements, are looking to,” Luna says.
In a field encompassing political, economic, environment, development and human rights issues, Luna rightly points out that his research is applicable to almost anyone intent on pursuing a career in Latin America.
In addition to the upcoming appointment of a new U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, several Latin American countries will also hold presidential elections in the near future. Luna says that he, along with the U.S. State Department, will be taking a keen interest in the campaigns and results. He’s optimistic that, like the Fletcher community, the United States will perhaps also take a renewed interest in the region.
Article by Timothy R. Homan, MALD '07
Posted by jessica at September 27, 2005 01:58 PM
