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Paraguay. Politics. Triple Alliance and Chaco Wars S trong Dictatorship National Identity Dominance of Colorado Party Fernando Lugo Religious leader Cancer issue. Economy. Agricultural / Informal Economy Natural Resources Soybean, Cotton, Hydroelectricity ( Itaipu Dam) Partners
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Politics • Triple Alliance and Chaco Wars • Strong Dictatorship • National Identity • Dominance of Colorado Party • Fernando Lugo • Religious leader • Cancer issue
Economy • Agricultural / Informal Economy • Natural Resources • Soybean, Cotton, Hydroelectricity (Itaipu Dam) • Partners • Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, China, United States • Banking System • Foreign companies partially and entirely own most banks and financial institutions
Population Paraguay's total population sums 6,5 million, what corresponds to less than 3% of the American population or 3.5% of the Brazilian population. Paraguay lost almost 90% of the male population in the Triple Alliance War (1864-1870). After decades, men outnumber women again 95% of the Paraguayans live in the east part of the country, the northern and northwestern bordering regions are largely vacant. Other populated cities include Filadelfia, Caacupe, Coronel Oviedo, Ciudad Del Este, Paraguari, Villarica and Encarnacion.
Population and Projections Year 2010 • The population pyramid demonstrates that Paraguay has a very young population • The largest population group is between zero and 4 years old. • This trend continues in 2020, as shown in the graph and only changes in 2050, when these children will become part of the economically active population. • Until then, Paraguay will struggle to maintain its work force. Year 2020 Year 2050
Nationally Homogeneous • The majority of the population is of mixed Spanish and Guarani Indian descent • Over 90% of Paraguayans are fluent in Guarani • Geographical isolation has contributed to establish national unity.
Potential Threat: Brasiguaios/Brasiguayos • It is estimated that 350 to 500 thousands Brazilians live in Paraguay. Many are irregular, given the obstacles to acquire the necessary documents to regularize its status. • The intense migration from Brazil happened in the 1960s and 1970s. Brazilians were attracted by low land prices and by the abolition of law prohibiting the purchase of land by foreigners, what happened under Stroessner's government in 1967. Besides domestic issues, such as the agrarian reform in Brazil and the concentration of land by soy farmers. • For Brazil, the immigration to Paraguay was welcomed, because it was an answer to Brazilian interests in occupying the border. • Conflict involves Paraguayan rural workers who demand land reform in the areas where Brazilians are. They say the government of Stroessner(1954 to 1989) seized property that belonged to them and divided it among sectors of the government, foreign companies and small Brazilian farmers. • Episodes of intimidation and land invasion of Brazilian properties are frequent. For Paraguayans, Brazilians are rich entrepreneurs and imperialists. Responsible for introducing transgenic soybean in Paraguay and devastating the forests and the environment, and for expelling peasants and indigenous people from their land. • Brazilians are also seen as a group that instead of integrating itself with the Guarani society, imposed and maintained a distinct cultural structure, posing a threat to the Guarani identity.
#2 Imperative: Secure/Maintain Access to theAtlantic OceanWhy?Paraguay is one of two South American countries that do not have an outlet to the sea, along with Bolivia. Asunción is distant from populated areas of neighbors and the only access to the Atlantic is through Argentina and the Plata river. Modern roads built since the 1970s across southern Brazil to Paranaguá and other maritime ports now offer the best surface contact to the outside world.
#4 Imperative: Populate and Develop North and Northwestern Frontier LandsWhy?Boarder with Bolivia must be protected. Bolivia keeps the same motivation that caused the Chaco War: the search for an ocean port.One way to secure the border is having population living there, don’t forget that 95% of the Paraguayans live in the southeast part of the country.
