In Class today, Wednesday September 18th Professor Michele Leiby came as a guest speaker. Professor Leiby is a political science professor at the college and has a specialty in Latin American politics. In our course this week we are taking a look at the history of Latin America in the context of our class. Professor Leiby first answered some general questions about Latin American then gave a very engaging overview of two cases of authoritarianism in Latin America, specifically Chile and Peru.  

The cases we studied were examples of Authoritarian regimes and the changes they have gone through. We discussed some major leaders such as General Juan Velasco who led from 1968 through 1975. During his time as a leader, he supported policies like agrarian reform and land redistribution. Another important leader in Peru was President Alberto Fujimori. This presidency was very unique in a multitude of ways. Fujimori was elected in hopes of reducing hyperinflation happening in the country. While he was successful in this, Fujimori was still a detriment to the country. He commits a self-coup where he gets rid of the Supreme court and the legislator and makes the executive far too powerful. During this time Fujimori also commits major human rights violations which he will later be convicted of. His legacy lives on through his politically involved daughter and the “Fujimorism” still active in Peru today.