Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Although it is now common practice for leaders of
developing countries to formally or informally peg their currency to a
stronger currency, such as the U.S. dollar, President Mahaud’s decision
to dollarize the Ecuadorian economy in January 2000 shocked most of his
citizens, the International Monetary Fund, and much of the
international community. At the time, Mahaud announced that the policy
was part of a larger effort to control inflation and bring some
economic stability to Ecuador, thereby making it more attractive to
international investors. Although concerns over inflation certainly
played a role in the decision to dollarize, both scholars and
Ecuadorian pundits have noted that Mahaud’s decision has never been
fully explained. The purpose of the paper is to explain this decision
and evaluate its impact. In tracing the decision to dollarize, the
authors will rely on interviews with the principal policy-makers, newly
released government papers, and journalists’ accounts. Additionally,
the paper will conduct a quantitative analysis of the cost and benefits
of the policy both on the economy as a whole and by segments of the
population. In particular it seeks to measure the impact of the
dollarization policy on varying geographic regions, ethnicities,
economic classes and business sectors. The paper would contribute to a
greater understanding of the mechanics and outcomes of developing
country financial decisions, the role of varying domestic political and
economic variables, and international constraints.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper tests two competing approaches to legislative
party discipline in an archetypal fragmented democracy in Latin America
as is the case of Ecuador. Commonly characterized as an inchoate,
volatile and weakly disciplined party system, I contrast party-centered
with voter-oriented approaches to explaining the question of party
discipline. Using a nested game of party discipline, I look at the
legislator’s decision to cooperate with the president given what the
party leadership does. I claim that even in fragmented Ecuador,
presidents still prefer to negotiate policy concessions, pork and
patronage with - ideologically close- party brokers who in turn whip
disciplined voting from the party’s rank and file. Contrary to
conventional belief, Presidents do not engage in widespread vote
buying, but they strategically target their efforts towards the end of
the electoral calendar, especially to purchase support of legislators
coming from centrist parties who represent small districts. I test
patterns of party discipline and pro government voting based on roll
call data gathered for the first time in Ecuador.

Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: The forest and coasline ecosystmes of Manta and Montecristi are part of the coastal ridge in Ecuador, a conservation priority spot for the country due to its contribution to biodiversity conservation. These ecosystems sustain the life of more than 30.000 inhabitants that use their resources such as water, fishing, tagua, coffe, bamboo and recreational opportunities. The place is very important because of the interrelationship between marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Since 2007 a group of local organizations including local governments, local communities, non governmental organizations, local university have come together to develop a conservation and development process in the area. So far, there have been effort to foster local capacities and create a local management committee, an formal alliance between two local governments is being created, a local conservation area was created that includes part of the area and a management plan is being designed with local and national participation. We consider this effort can be a conservation and development model to manage interacting marine and terrestrial ecosystems because there is an outstanding biological context and an important political will in local authorities.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper focuses on the contributions to democratization made by the Pachakutik Political Movement in Ecuador, a party founded by a coalition of indigenous organizations, social movements and labor unions in 1996. Despite the high levels of social mobilization and political volatility experienced in Ecuador during the 1990s, I argue that democracy was strengthened in this period by the emergence of this party. The two-pronged argument begins by referring to Rustow’s (1970) notion of the importance of “habituation” to democratic rules and procedures as a key stage in democratic consolidation, and offers evidence that this has been taking place within the indigenous movement. Secondly, I argue that Pachakutik has been enriching democratic practice and challenging traditional hierarchical and clientelistic patterns of politics by introducing new participatory practices and by developing mechanisms designed to create greater transparency and accountability in government and by elected authorities.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper studies the ways in which
Ecuadorian immigrants construct their social and political identities
in the U.S. in relationship to their country of origin. It analyzes how
class, race and regional differences in Ecuador are both reproduced and
transformed in modes of organization, cultural activities, and economic
endeavours. I argue that transnational imagined communities allow for
fluid, shifting and plural notions of nationhood.