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Related: About this forumEight years of progressive politics in Ecuador
Eight years of progressive politics in Ecuador
Friday 30th Jan 2015
posted by Morning Star in Features
This month marks eight remarkable years of progress in Ecuadors citizens revolution, writes Matt Willgress
Eight years ago President Rafael Correa was elected in Ecuador and, as in many Latin American countries in recent years, theres been a tremendous shift in the country.
Today, at a time when we are constantly told about the inevitability of cuts and austerity, spending in Ecuador on healthcare and education has doubled.
On Correas election the rich were forced to pay their taxes for the first time in the countrys history, and as a result government investment has led to economic growth of 4 per cent year by year. Additionally, for the first time in Ecuadors history, extreme poverty is in single figures. It is now less than 8 per cent, compared with 16.5 per cent previously.
Ecuador also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the continent, with the figures for 2014 closing at only 3.8 per cent.
More:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-e42b-Eight-years-of-progressive-politics-in-Ecuador#.VM8jMmc5Cbw
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"A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." ~ Mahatma Ghandi
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Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Bacchus4.0
(6,837 posts)High taxes on many import products though.