Summary
            
             The focus of the paper will be an examination of Colombia using the "modernization theory." Colombia has sustained a considerable amount of changes with regard to development and modernization. Controlled modernization was a term used to represent how social pressures forced the political elite to take action. Because of the existence of an all but stable political system, there was significant room for the reigning elitists groups to enact needed social changes. The answer to the people's demand has come in the way of reform measures that, while they have received a sponsored backing, have been implemented in a cautious manner. I will discuss development and modernization as they relate to Colombia. It will examine the problems and the causes "if any," of the elite's control. The problems consist of such things as the sell off state companies to make their economy accessible to foreign investment. In fact even with foreign investment there is a 40% unemployment rate. Also the paper will explore the fact that there is no clear distinction anymore between legal and illegal businesses. Multi-billion-dollar drug empires have not only bought into Colombia's legal economy, but have raised the stakes a hundredfold in corrupting politicians and in backing guerilla and paramilitary groups.
             In making a connection to the text involved in the class, the paper will investigate connections to the Peeler text by examining his definition of democracy, and his models of civil liberties and civil rights (a minimum that citizens should participate). It will also examine the "Social Democratic Model" and whether state controlled society would be a benefit, how equality of opportunity is important (especially with elite's in control). Finally the paper will use the "Stable Personal Environment" test in Peeler to measure why the society is unstable in its current state.
             Background on current government of Colombia:
             "Colombia is divide...