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This paper examines China-Latin America relations through the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in the 2011-2018 period. In this context, the main perspectives on integration and regionalism are discussed, and CELAC is shown to possess the characteristics of a regional body. It is proposed that the relationship China seeks through this body can be explained by its interest in institutionalising a mechanism for rapprochement with Latin America and the Caribbean. It is noted that CELAC is seen by China as a strategic vehicle that allows it to engage bilaterally with various countries and develop an economic strategy under structurally asymmetric conditions. However, its institutional nature has prevented it from serving these interests. As per the methodology, documentary and qualitative data analysis is made using the systematisation of an unpublished database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the idea of civil disobedience as praxis from a Western-hemisphere perspective. The reference to the term "civil" highlights the importance of theorizing about the category of civil society together with the concepts of democracy and praxis, in order to make an explicit justification of civil disobedience in democratic societies and to explore the possibility of extending such disobedience to the field of social praxis beyond the liberal conception of the term. Key Words: Civil society, civil disobedience, democracy, praxis, Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's rapid economic growth and increased openness has been one of the most significant developments in the global economy over the past 25 years. This paper analyses Chinas impacts on the Latin American economies, and in particular the challenges that China poses for the region. It discusses both the direct impacts arising from bilateral trade and investment flows between China and Latin America, the indirect impacts associated with Chinese competition in export markets and for foreign direct investment, and the positive terms of trade effects resulting from Chinas increased demand for raw materials. Challenges identified include the recent rapid increase of competition from Chinese imports in the Latin American market, the concentration of exports to China in a narrow range of primary products and the uneven distribution of profits from trade with China within Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meanwhile too much attention is focused in economic voting, a previous question has been hardly addressed: how the economy affects turnout rates. Does economic adversity raise the level of turnout? Or contrary: Do macroeconomic drops demobilize voters? In this paper I analyse the relationship between some macroeconomic variables and levels of turnout in Latina America between 1980 and 2000. I do it through the study of aggregated variables. Results challenge the main findings of the literature for developing countries: hard times are not related with higher turnout, though unemployment seems to have a particular relationship. In addition, the data shows political demobilization as a by product of voters disaffection. Such findings involve critical implications for accountability issues, democratic representation, and the electoral strategies of political parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]