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Social Exclusion and Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean

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  • Heather Berkman

Abstract

This paper examines how social exclusion contributes to violence in communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Residents in socially excluded communities cannot depend on those institutions designed to protect them, and violence becomes an instrument to achieve certain outcomes, such as justice, security, and economic gain. When conventional methods of obtaining and working for increased social status, higher income, and wider influence are limited, as they often are in marginalized areas, some feel compelled to resort to violent acts. This paper discusses how social exclusion and violence interact in a vicious circle that leaves the socially excluded in a very hostile social environment where the borders between legal and illegal, legitimate and illegitimate are often fuzzy and uncertain. In this environment violence is used by a minority to acquire justice, security, authority and economic gain. The use of violence by this minority, however, affect the lives of the majority of excluded people that do not resort to violence. As youths are particularly vulnerable to this issue, this paper also examines the relationship between violence and the plight of Latin American youth gangs and street children.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather Berkman, 2007. "Social Exclusion and Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean," Research Department Publications 4534, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
  • Handle: RePEc:idb:wpaper:4534
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    1. Betânia Totino Peixoto & Sueli Moro & Mônica Viegas Andrade, 2004. "Criminalidade Na Região Metropolitana De Belo Horizonte: Uma Análise Espacial," Anais do XI Semin·rio sobre a Economia Mineira [Proceedings of the 11th Seminar on the Economy of Minas Gerais], in: João Antonio de Paula & et alli (ed.),Anais do XI Seminário sobre a Economia Mineira [Proceedings of the 11th Seminar on the Economy of Minas Gerais], Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Cotte Poveda, 2013. "The relationship between development, investments, insecurity and social conditions in Colombia: a dynamic approach," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 2769-2783, August.
    2. Jarillo, Brenda & Magaloni, Beatriz & Franco, Edgar & Robles, Gustavo, 2016. "How the Mexican drug war affects kids and schools? Evidence on effects and mechanisms," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 135-146.
    3. Blume, Laura Ross, 2021. "Narco Robin Hoods: Community support for illicit economies and violence in rural Central America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    4. Ospina Plaza , Natalia & Giménez Esteban, Gregorio, 2009. "La violencia en Latinoamérica y sus efectos sobre la inversión y la educación/Violence in Latin America and its Effects in Investment an Education," Estudios de Economia Aplicada, Estudios de Economia Aplicada, vol. 27, pages 781(22á)-78, Diciembre.
    5. Pierre Salama, 2008. "Informe sobre la violencia en América Latina," Revista de Economía Institucional, Universidad Externado de Colombia - Facultad de Economía, vol. 10(18), pages 81-102, January-J.

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