ring these criteria, development in Latin America may best be described as progressively transitional, continually improving, yet still lacking stability and permanence in structure. This apparent lack is causing disfunctionalism of governmental bodies to be successfully consistent in altering the povertized sectors of society. The ultimate pattern perpetuates the social stratifications of Latin America, which only continue to erode the workings of development at large. To break such a cycle, successful structural functionalism under governments of stability and permanence must be achieved.
             Economics holds key importance in an array of political and social workings in all areas of the world. The factor making this sector a central component in successful development is that economics often serves as the catalyst between developmental areas. Even in basic terms as proposed in the modernization theory employed by authors Skidmore and Smith, economics alters the society, and this, in turn, will play a crucial factor in political outcomes, "Latin America has occupied an essentially subordinate or dependent position, pursuing economic paths that have been largely shaped by the industrial powers of Europe and the United States. These economic developments have brought about transitions in the social order and class structure, and these changes, in turn, have crucially affected political change."(Skidmore and Smith, 42)
             Keeping this in mind, one applies this background knowledge to the region of Latin America. Historically, the markets and economies of Latin America have functioned with near absolute dependence on the needs and conditions of foreign markets. Largely, this economic relationship is referred to as dependency theory. This dependence was instilled from the incipient colonization efforts of Spain and Portugal, which operated on the monarchial duty of mercantilism; all efforts were done in honor of the mother country alone. Wi...