Saturday, November 16, 2019

Trauma Narratives in Post-War and Postcolonial Fiction

Trauma Narratives in Post-War and Postcolonial Fiction Trauma Narratives in Post-War and Postcolonial Fiction â€Å"There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.† Laurel K. Hamilton, Mistral’s Kiss â€Å"The traumatized soul finds no rest in conditions of peace. It’s forever questing for violence, for action, for the same combination of factors which gave rise to it in the first place.† Matthew S. Williams I. Introduction From a hunting-gathering economy and communal property, societies have developed to today’s market-oriented, profit-driven economies and privatization. In the span of history, the transitions and developments of nations are determined by its struggle for survival. These include the desire to expand territories for raw materials and showcase of power which have led to the wars and conflicts that we know from our history books. We now live in an age of global economies, high-tech industries, cyber technology, and an even more complex geopolitics. Modernity has caused a lot of suffering aside from its advantages. We have advanced in curing a number of diseases, replaced manual labor with automated machines, revved up academic research and discovered alternative energy resources yet we still face socio-political, economic, cultural and environmental issues today. These include demanding jobs but below average salaries, unmet social needs and services, political instability and even environmental disasters. These lead to civil unrest, rise of assorted nationalist and separatist movements and other issue-specific mobilizations, and even armed resistance. There are also intangible forces at play which contribute to humanity’s dilemma. Traditional values, social constraints, taboos, inequalities, and the role of religion reinforce the contradictions experienced by an individual. One should also keep in mind the role of history. Stronger nations invade and occupy smaller and weaker ones to expand their influence and enforce them to be their subjects. A good example for this is the Spanish colonization of the Philippines and the historical events that followed. These unsettling experiences demoralize people and poses great effects to their mentality. This paper will explore the function of literature as a testimony of traumatic experiences and as an embodiment of individual and collective memory. The works of John Updike, William Golding and F. Sionil Josà ©, a Filipino English-language writer, will be the focus of this research of post-war and postcolonial fiction. Their works can be read as manifestations of trauma and demonstrate the psychological effects of historical and catastrophic events such as armed conflicts and the post-war, postcolonial condition as they are experienced by the characters in their novels. In addition, we will look at the authors’ style of writing in preserving memories of psychic pain and suffering and how successful they are in representing traumatic experiences in fiction. Using different literary theories, we will also try to explore several issues such as identity, social and gender roles and social classification among others. Through reading these literary texts, we can hope to see more in the historical realm and uncover long forgotten issues of the past and link it to the present. My thesis is divided into several parts. The first part will define trauma and establish the existing theoretical bases of its studies in literature. Here I shall determine how trauma is represented in literature and how it contains memories of pain and suffering and how it functions in its recollection. Trauma will be analyzed in this chapter as not being a theoretically ‘fixed-in-time’ phenomenon but rather unpredictably experienced through different contexts that reminds a traumatized individual of a horrifying experience. The next chapter is where I look at the thin line between trauma and fiction. I shall recall the basic functions of literature and understand the significance of trauma in literature. There is that difficulty of articulating memories of a dark past and an overwhelming experience whether it is recent or long forgotten, and through writing fiction an individual is provided an opportunity to express it in a less obtrusive method instead of an intrusive one-to-one conversation. I shall also evaluate the healing function of writing trauma in fiction as an individual and a collective. The following chapter will be the introduction of the works of John Updike, an American writer, William Golding, an English writer, and Francisco Sionil Josà ©, a Filipino English-language writer. Here I will discuss the contexts of trauma in their works and tackle the themes in their works, as well as, the different literary elements that complete their whole work that embody memories of a traumatic past such as memories of war, resistance, and other modes of violence. The last part will be the conclusion and synthesis of the significance of writing trauma narratives in fiction and the highlights of representation of memory and trauma. II. Theories of Trauma Theories of trauma are not new in the field of literary studies. In her introduction to Trauma: Explorations in Memory, Cathy Caruth states that the issue of trauma is derived from different discourses which include psychiatry, psychoanalysis and sociology that addressed the questions after catastrophic wars (Caruth 3: 1995). Today, there has been an even more increasing interest in trauma as a research topic in literature. Works such as Laurie Vickroy’s Trauma and Survival in Contemporary Fiction and Debora Horvitz’s Literary Trauma: Sadism, Memory, and Sexual Violence in American Women’s Fiction are some of the recent studies. By 1980, trauma became a â€Å"solid status of inquiry† and became known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by the American Psychiatric Association (Caruth 3). This phenomenon included what the soldiers experienced after combat such as symptoms of â€Å"shell shock, combat stress, delayed stress syndrome, and traumatic neurosis† (Caruth 3). Due to its official recognition as a pathological classification, it provided means in diagnosing other reactions to extreme events that affect the human psyche. These include not only the effects of fighting in the battlefield or aftereffects of an environmental disaster, but also rape, child abuse, and other violent situations (Caruth 3). In her master dissertation, Minczingerovà ¡ points out that traumatic experience â€Å"fails to be integrated into the consciousness and continues to haunt the survivors later on through flashbacks, dreams and intrusive thoughts. (2)† In the most general definition, Caruth defines trauma as an overwhelming experience of sudden catastrophic events (Caruth 29: 1996). She further states that: From [Freud’s] early claims, in the Project for a Scientific Psychology, that a trauma consist of two scenes—the earlier (in childhood) having sexual content but no meaning, the later (after puberty) having no sexual content but sexual meaning—to his later claims, in Moses and Monotheism, that trauma occurs only after latency period, Freud seems to have been concerned [†¦] with the way in which trauma is not a simple or single experience of events but that events, insofar as they are traumatic, assume their force precisely in their temporal delay. (Caruth 9: 1995) This brings us to Michelle Balaev’s point in literary criticism on trauma in fiction in which she underlines the importance of â€Å"the relationship between psychic trauma, memory and landscape.† Her interest on the concept of trauma is not it being a temporal but rather a spatial phenomenon since it is not just registered in one setting but rather experienced further and tends to â€Å"resurface in flashbacks, nightmares, and repetitive reenactments (Rodi-Risberg 2012).† As a subject that involves the human psyche, it is imperative to discuss the contributions of Sigmund Freud to the field of trauma studies. Minczingerovà ¡ points out that: He is still a prominent figure at least in the cultural and literary studies of trauma (even though he is often dismissed in therapeutic and medical discourses), and also because this thesis draws upon some of his concepts, albeit, as it will be pointed out, in a slightly different way from Freud’s intended usages (3). Freud was troubled about the soldiers who returned home after the First World War who â€Å"displayed symptoms of what came to be known as shell shock (Minczingerovà ¡ 3).† He coined the term â€Å"repetition compulsion† which concluded his observation that a person who experienced an overwhelming situation such as war tend to be obsessed at reliving or reenacting the event. A. Running away as a defense mechanism in Updike’s Rabbit, Run Around 1958, John Updike suffered an existential crisis, one that have been brewing for several years. He explained in his work Odd Jobs, â€Å"Amid my new responsibilities, I felt fearful and desolate, foreseeing, young as I was, that I would die, and that the substance of the earth was, therefore, death.† He was saved from this abyss by two writers, namely, Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard (Danish existentialist writer) and Karl Barth (German theologian). Aside from giving answers to his religious and philosophical questions, both writers provided Updike the necessary tools to create his own theological and aesthetic vision which have influenced his literary writing, circling on matters of moral debate and goodness of man. And Rabbit, Run tells us a story of a person going through this kind of conflict, his contradictions in life and how he deals with them. The central figure of the novel is Harry â€Å"Rabbit† Angstrom, 26-year-old, former high school basketball MVP, who is trapped in a failing marriage, and has a life full of frustration, dissatisfaction and weariness that results to his escapism and therefore hurting those around him. He is married to Janice Springer-Angstrom only because he got her pregnant with Nelson, who is now a toddler. Wanting to escape, he abandons both Nelson and Janice who is already pregnant with their second child Rebecca June. He goes to his former coach Marty Tothero to ask help or guidance with his life. Instead, they go out to see girls and Rabbit meets Ruth, winding up together. While living with Ruth, Jack Eccles, a young local minister, tries to fix Rabbit and Janice’s marriage. At first, Rabbit was dismissive about the idea of going back to her but when he realizes she was going to labor, he leaves Ruth and rushes to the hospital. After seeing Janice’s condition, Rabbit sort o f falls in love with her again. Rabbit then becomes consumed with his carnal desire for Janice but she (after a 9-month pregnancy, being left by Rabbit for another woman, and a hard labor) did not have the capability of having sex with him. It was that night when he wanted to make love with her but then she shoved him off telling him that she is not a whore. This frustration pushes him to walk away again. This time, making Janice even more miserable, thinking that Rabbit left for good. She continues her drinking and smoking habit but even worse this time. One day, she got so drunk that she drowns their baby, Rebecca, in the bathtub. Upon hearing the news, Rabbit goes back home. At the funeral, he tells Janice it was his fault. But at the end of the day, he lashes out and puts the blame on Janice. He runs away again, going back to Ruth. Apparently, Ruth is pregnant and Rabbit is the father. He is happy and he tells her he wants them to get married. But Ruth tells him that there will be nothing between him and her an d the baby if he does not divorce his wife, Janice. He agrees to this term, then decides to go out and buy some food. On the way, he starts to doubt his decisions, the hard choice of leaving Janice for Ruth and the future of his son, Nelson. All these put him on so much pressure so he, as you may expect, runs away again. Rabbit Angstrom’s story does not require much philosophizing. His leaving is an impulsive action to escape from being trapped in a net. To understand his life, we must look at the political events and other historical forces at that time, which he barely was aware of. Through this method, we will be aware of the apparent themes in this novel. He was born in the thirties when critical historical events were happening and affected the international scene, mainly the Great Depression which was the best platform for other world powers to invade weaker nations. When Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated as the president of the United States, he initiated the social welfare program called â€Å"New Deal† to combat the effects of and recover from the Great Depression. Employment rate skyrocketed due to America’s participation in the Second World War that resulted from the economic and political crisis. This has led to forcing most men to the combat field and women taking o ver men’s jobs. Returning from the battlefield, men grew weary and women returned to their mostly boring domestic roles. Rabbit, being one of those who gave service during the war, came back home wanting to satisfy himself with all the pleasure he can get. But he feels incomplete and unsatisfied which led him to seek for divine guidance that can light up his way or at least a human being he can look up to like his coach Tothero. He goes bored and weary of old age so he wants to relieve his younger days. This can be seen in the opening of the novel when he joins a group of young boys playing basketball and also his giving in to his sexual fantasies. However, Janice and Nelson plus his personal issues with his parents keep him anchored. This is why he always tries to run from everything, to taste freedom and find a new purpose in life. But while he runs away, everything catches up with him. Janice, who I consider a victim of her environment, is bound to an unpleasant fate. Getting pregnant before marriage was considered immoral during her younger days so she was forced to marry Rabbit. However, their marriage somehow locks her down as well. Women were expected to play domestic roles and Janice, probably thinking of achieving greater things in life, became frustrated and bored resulting to her being alcoholic and a smoker. Moreover, the media influenced many housewives on the illusion of beauty. It should be noted that Barbie became a popular icon during that time and other famous women who were considered models of perfection. Ideal families were also portrayed on regular television shows which motivated women to struggle for a perfect household. Somehow, this fact pressured her too, aside from Rabbit’s departure and living with another woman that led to her despair. Looking at the novel critically, we will realize that Rabbit’s actions are connected to his environment. It begs the question how he was raised by his parents and if he had a healthy childhood. His search for the divine, for someone he can look up to reveals the fact that he is yearning for parental love that his parents was probably not able to satisfy. A scene in the novel when Rabbit sneaks to his parents’ house and looks through the window, and describes how his parents take care of his son Nelson, means that there is inside of him a longing for affection. Yet he cannot go back to his childhood and make things happen the way he wants it to be. This creates a feeling of nothingness inside of him. However, given his freedom as an adult he is completely free to do anything. But with no one who can genuinely guide him will eventually lead to his downfall.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Automotive Fuel Vehicles :: essays research papers

INCENTIVES AND LAWS The main federal incentives for the purchase or conversion of individual alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) are the federal income tax deductions of $2,000-$50,000 for clean fuel vehicles, and the income tax credit of up to $4,000 for electric vehicles (EVs). An income tax deduction is also available for the installation of refueling or recharging facilities for AFVs. Except for the federal tax credits and deductions, most of the federal incentives are programmatic grants oriented toward large investments such as infrastructure and larger purchases. The lead federal agencies for AFV programs are the U.S. Department of Treasury (i.e., IRS), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Federal Tax Deduction This is a deduction for clean fuel vehicles and certain refueling properties. A tax deduction for the purchase of a new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) qualified clean fuel vehicle, or for the conversion of a vehicle to use a clean-burning fuel, is provided under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), Public Law-102-486, Title XIX-Revenue Provisions, Sec. 179A. Electric Vehicle Tax Credit.A tax credit for the purchase of qualified EVs and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) is provided under EPAct Public Law-102-486, . The size of the credit is 10% of the cost of the vehicle, up to a maximum credit of $4,000. Beginning in 2001, the size of the credit is reduced by 25% per year until the credit is fully phased out. To qualify for the credit, the vehicle must be powered primarily by an electric motor. Clean Cities Program DOE's Clean Cities Program coordinates voluntary efforts between locally based government and industry to accelerate the use of alternative fuels and expand AFV refueling infrastructure. Federal Incentives EPAct establishes an incentive program for the purchase of AFVs and conversion of conventional gasoline vehicles to alternative fuels. Through federal tax incentives, companies and private individuals can offset a portion of the incremental costs associated with the purchase or conversion of an AFV. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 The Clean Air Act (CAA) was passed in 1970 to improve air quality nationwide. Congress amended the law in 1990, passing the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) and thus creating several initiatives to reinforce one of the original goals of the CAA to reduce mobile source pollutants.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Declaration of Sentiments: Blog Response Essay

After 156 years, you would think that the issues brought up in the Declaration of Sentiments would have been resolved by this day, but unfortunately that is not the case. Since the dawn of capitalism, developing around the same time period the Declaration was written, it has become one of the most powerful (if not THE most powerful) economic structures in the world. It is no coincidence that this structure has become increasingly dependent on the destruction of women’s self-image, self-respect, and self-worth in order to sell more products. In the Declaration of Sentiments, one of the grievances listed recounts men’s continuing dominance over women’s self- respect. It reads as follows: â€Å"[Man] has endeavored, in every way that he could to destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen her self-respect, and to make her willing to lead a dependent and abject life.† It’s heartbreaking to see that this issue is still so pervasive today. It is not a learned behavior to hate one’s own appearance, hate one’s own size, and to feel as though there is a rigid sphere in which a person should inhabit. All of these self-worth issues have repeatedly been projected at women by men for years– whether it be through religious standards, social norms, or in this case, through profit. This method is much more insidious and less blatant than the traditional concept of men literally exerting physical dominance over women. In fact, the destruction of women’s self-worth via modern capitalism is so normal that it goes completely unnoticed. It’s because of subtleties like this that some people believe that sexism is no longer a problem. However, many people don’t seem to give any thought to the fact that women aren’t born believing that they are not pretty enough, not the right size, and that there are only a set amount of career options for them. Around age seven, a roughly equal number of boys and girls have ambitions to become the president of the United States. However, when asked the same question again at age 14, the number of girls with the same ambition dropped significantly . Most of the sexism perpetrated today feels normalized and flies under the radar for most of the media-consuming population. Another subtle way in which sexism exists isn’t even committed by men—women are taking part in a cycle of misogyny and hatred of the members of their own gender. Very commonly nowadays you see young girls and even grown women claim to be different from their female peers in order to seem more appealing to men. It’s a very simple self-perpetuating way for misogyny to exist without ever being perpetrated by males. With the â€Å"not-like-other-girls† mindset, women are pitted against other women, as opposed to standing in solidarity against the very institutional sexism they have been unknowingly perpetuating. Girl-on-girl hate has been sensationalized and normalize in the media via television shows (see Gossip Girl), movies (see Mean Girls), and books (see The Clique series) all of these are specifically targeted for young girls. Often the antagonists of these stories are female peers and the happy ending or â€Å"reward† is finally getting to be with which ever boy that has been lusted over for the length of the story. While they do highlight the very real issue of bullying in schools, these stories do little to nothing to promote the friendship and commonality that young girls have together. In relation to the aforementioned grievance, self-image doesn’t have to be limited to one’s personality or appearance—it can refer to one’s gender, and can lead to the dislike of members of one’s own gender. It’s easy to focus on the issues that have yet to be resolved. However women have made many strides since this Declaration of Sentiments was written. One of the first monumental movements started, led, and accomplished by women was women’s suffrage. This led to later allowing women the equal opportunity to work in office. Smaller yet equally necessary movements have been sprouting all across the globe such as body positivity, anti-street harassment, and sex positivity, which aims to get rid of the double standard between men and women’s sexual activity. Although many feel sexism has been irradiated it is still very much alive despite the many victories women have had. Socially, politically, and sexually women have been repressed and overpowered but with hopeful generations massive amounts of development is yet to come. Bibliography Cogdon, Jessica, Claire Dietrich, and Jenny Raskin. Miss Representation. Prod. Jennifer S. Newsom. 22 Jan. 2011. Television.

Friday, November 8, 2019

102 Week 9 Journal Response Professor Ramos Blog

102 Week 9 Journal Response This week we will be learning about monster theory. For the journal, look for something related to monsters, or the theory we are talking about. It can be a Halloween post, or it could be related to a movie, book, show, etc. Get creative. Whatever text you choose, try to connect it to our monster theory. How is it connected? What reminded you of the theory? Requirements are still the same. About 250 words, summary and response to the article/tweet/post/news/etc; aka text. Comment below with a link to the text and your summary and response. 102 Week 9 Journal Response Week of 7/30/2018 – 8/3/2018 We are finishing up Monster Theory and causality. See if you can find an article that you can use for your essay on either monsters or causality. You can also write about anything that reminds you of the class and discussion. Requirements. 250 word summary and response to the article/post/news/etc; aka text. Comment below with a link to the text and your summary/response.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Essay on Natural Disasters Covering PTSD and Survivor Syndrome

Essay on Natural Disasters Covering PTSD and Survivor Syndrome Essay on Natural Disasters Covering PTSD and Survivor Syndrome The survivor syndrome, or as it is sometimes called the survivor guilt, is a psychological disorder which first was discovered in in 1960s during the examination of Holocaust victims. Recently it has been changed from a separate independent diagnosis to a symptom of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). It usually appears after a person goes through a very stressful experience like a terrorist attack, war, or natural disaster. The most vivid symptoms of this mental condition are depression, sleep pattern disruptions, nightmares, anxiety, physical weakness, etc. Why is studying this particular psychological disorder important? Just in 2017 there were massive floods in China (144 people killed) and Peru (150 people killed), an earthquake in Mexico (225 people killed), wildfires in California (40 people killed), hurricanes Irma and Harvey, naming just the biggest natural disasters. This topic will always be of great interest because we never know which catastrophe will happen tomorrow, and we must always be ready to handle the consequences and victims properly. That’s why writing an essay on natural disasters covering PTSD and survivor guilt is significant not only for your academic success, but for the whole field of psychological studies in general. Moreover, it’s essential to use the most up-to-date research findings and data. But don’t worry about that – we’ve got it covered here. 1. Comparison of Simulated Treatment and Cost-effectiveness of a Stepped Care Case-Finding Intervention vs Usual Care for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After a Natural Disaster Year: 2017 Link: http://bit.ly/2xtjfvl This work regards stepped care in terms of helping people with PTSD caused by natural disasters. It proves the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of SC in comparison with other types of cares. 2. Optimizing Clinical Thresholds for PTSD: Extending the DSM-5 Preschool Criteria to School-Age Children Year: 2017 Link: http://bit.ly/2y21Jd6 La Greca, the author of the study, reveals how it is possible to promptly notice children influenced by the natural disasters who have symptoms of PTSD. 3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Disasters: a Systematic Review Year: 2007 Link: http://bit.ly/2z3Ghtl The researches investigate how different types of disasters (natural, technological, human-made, etc.) can cause different types of PTSD. This is an extensive study that covers the timeframe from 1980 till 2007. 4. Incidence and Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in a Population Affected by a Severe Flood Year: 2016 Link: http://bit.ly/2laKKUN The research studies the most problematic outcomes of PTSD that appear after floods in areas prone to severe rainfalls in order to minimize them in the future and quickly improve public health after natural disasters. 5. Longitudinal Course of Disaster-Related PTSD among a Prospective Sample of Adult Chilean Natural Disaster Survivors Year: 2017 Link: http://bit.ly/2ivPFyM Here you can find out whether psychiatric disorders that already exist can impact the PTSD after a natural disaster. The study was conducted on the basis of 6 European countries and Chile over the period of 2001-2010. Use these research information in order to write a proficient essay on natural disasters. They will add up more weight to your words and make your statements more powerful. So, start writing right now!

Monday, November 4, 2019

Effects of Taxation on Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Effects of Taxation on Economy - Essay Example A tax on a commodity tends to be shifted from the producer forward to the consumer and from the consumer backward to the producer. A tax on production of a commodity tends to raise its price and will, therefore, be normally borne by the consumer. But a tax on consumption is likely to check consumption and tends to be shifted backward to the producer. The tax levied of consumers can reduce the demand. Commodity taxes are disincentive to purchase the commodities on which they are levied. The amount by which the tax reduces purchases will depend upon the elasticity of demand for that commodity. The less elastic is the demand and the supply, the less will the demand be reduced. On the other hand the tax levied on corporations will impose a disincentive on a firm to incorporate. Taxes on firms can lead to low motivation for investment, which will in turn reduce the supply for goods if the Government has imposed price control with tax initiatives. A tax on income tends to reduce the ability to save and invest on the part of individuals. A tax on net profits of business firms will reduce their ability to save and invest. A decrease in investment is bound to affect adversely the level of output. The equilibrium price and quantity will be changed according to the elasticity of demand of that good. ... The equilibrium price and quantity will be changed according to the elasticity of demand of that good. The extent to which a commodity tax will actually be shifted will depend upon the nature of demand and supply curves. If demand is inelastic, as is the case with the necessaries of life the people must buy the commodity. The producer will be in stronger position and almost the entire burden of the tax will be shifted on to the consumer. But in the case of elastic demand, the people will buy less. In that case the price will not rise by the full amount of the tax, and the tax will be partly borne by the producer (Dewett, 571-572). - In this market, describe a hypothetical situation where a price ceiling or floor could be imposed. What implications would this have for the market' Government actions may shift demand and supply curves as when changes in safety legislation shifts the supply curve. Price controls are Government rules or laws that forbid the adjustment of prices to clear markets. Price controls undertaken in the market can be of two types. 1. Price ceilings: In this case Government applies an upper limit for the sellers and they cannot charge more prices upper than that limit. Such a limit is usually imposed when the shortage of a commodity is expected to increase the price of a commodity. Although through charging high prices the rationing of the scarce commodities can be undertaken. The solution to the problem of scarce supply of a commodity can be responded by an increased price but this is an unfair solution. For example high food prices can lead to considerable hardship among the poor. In the case of above market 2. Price floors: Governments impose a limit of minimum price of

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Political Violence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Political Violence - Essay Example The concept of â€Å"internal enemy† was significantly applied during the cold war period. The concept was applied in countries such as Guatemala, Chile, and El Salvador. In Guatemala, the concept was applied to overturn the regime that was seen as leaning towards communism. The concept was successful in the removal of Col. Jacobo Arbenz from power (Byrne 6). Moreover, the idea led to training of people that could topple the regime. On the other hand, the concept was well applied in Chile. In Chile, the concept led to destabilization of Allende government that was successful elected. The concept also led to the elimination of those people that were seen as being leftist. Most of the people were killed and detained in the country (Byrne 8). Additionally, in El Salvador, the concept provided a way in which to train police and military force inn the country to play a role in countering of insurgency. The forces played a significant role in killing of a large number of people in t he 70s and the 1980s (Byrne 10). The political repression in these three countries targeted those that were seen as leftist or supporting communism. In addition, repression led to the elimination of those opposed to democratic ideas. In conclusion, it is clear that United States contributed significantly to destabilization Latin America during cold war period. The destabilization continues to be experienced in the region until