No 11 (2023)

The article is devoted to the problem of digital sovereignty in the countries of Latin and Caribbean America (LCA). The monopolization of the global information technology (IT) industry has led to a sharp increase in the technological dependence of less digitally developed countries. The mass spread of social networks and digital platforms has increased the risks of external actors interfering in the socio-political and economic processes of developing countries. LCA states that are actively involved in digital transformation continue to depend on external suppliers of equipment and software, while their technological potential and qualified personnel are widely used in the interests of North American Big Tech. Dependence on tech giants and vulnerability in terms of digital security are pushing the countries of the region to take measures to develop national competencies in advanced technologies, solve the problem of ensuring digital sovereignty in critical sectors of the economy, create a favorable environment for doing business in the digital sphere, and improve legislative regulation.

The April 30, 2023 Paraguay held the General elections, their result revealed a new configuration of political forces in the country. Following the electoral cycle results, the ruling Colorado party strengthened its positions, and the traditional opposition lost votes to populist politicians. However, the confident win of the Colorado party increases the level of intra-party confrontation. The sanctions imposed by the US against the former President O. Cartes reflected decrease of anti-corruption struggle intensity and the deterioration of state institutions functioning in the country. The President Santiago Peña’s tasks include the economic growth accelerating. Maintaining a foreign policy course conditioned by the ideological preferences of the previous era may face the increasing pressure from the agrarian lobby interested in developing relations with China.

The study is aimed at identifying factors that posed a threat to the coalition government of Spain (2020-2023), or contributed to its stability. Based on the theory of party coalitions, the author highlights the Strengths of the coalition, its Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, and compiles a SWOT matrix. Based on the conviction that the early dissolution of the parliament, which led to the early resignation of the government, was more of a tactical move (to improve electoral positions), rather than a forced measure, and 4-5 months remained before the end of the constitutional term of its activity, the author considers Spain's first experience of a nationwide coalition government as successful. Among the Strengths of the government coalition are the political ambitions of the head of the government and his ability to maneuver between the interests of a large number of small parties, seeking their support.

The article focuses on the character of relations between the Communist International (Comintern) and the Peruvian Left movement in 1930. Based on a wide source base, including documents of archives, the article author the causes of the reorganization of the Peruvian Socialist Party. While the role of the Comintern was significant, the process never was unilateral one: the Peruvian communists, led by Jose Carlos Mariátegui, sought to build a Communist party, realizing the gradual aggravation of the internal political situation in their country (the economic crisis, repressions by the dictatorial regime of A. Leguía, the break with the APRA, etc.). It appears that the creation of the Communist Party of Peru didn’t occur under the orders of the Comintern, but as a result of its complex and mutual cooperation with the Peruvian communists.

The article is devoted to the study of the process of historical formation and evolution of the musical and choreographic genre of samba, which has concentrated the features of the national and cultural identity of Brazil. The formation of samba began in the Afro-Brazilian communities of the state of Bahia at the turn of the 16th-17th centuries. With the end of the slaveholding regime in 1888 and the emergence of freedom of movement of the Negro population, conditions appeared for the maturation of the samba genre, which developed especially favorably in Rio de Janeiro. The wave of renewal in world art that swept across Europe and America in the first decades of the 20th century captured Brazil as well. This spirit of change could not but affect the samba, which became widespread throughout the country. The article discusses the main varieties of samba. The activities of samba schools in preparation for the carnival are highlighted. Attention is drawn to the active role of samba in the process of the emergence of hybrid genres of pop music in the era of globalization. There are concerns about the negative impact of this process on the features of the national identity of Brazilian music and, in particular, samba.