Prospects for Revitalizing Argentina

9 the people or the environment along with the rapidly rising soybean production. Additionally, the legislation must be enforced and properly funded, unlike the case of the Forest Law, where only 5% of the funds allocated were put toward the law. This also demonstrates that legislation alone may not be enough; the Argentine government should create specific, well-informed agencies or strengthen the agencies that already exist, with clearly defined goals and responsibilities. Grassroots organizations have proved effective in the past, but having official organizations within the government devoted to the betterment of the social and economic well-being of the peasants and indigenous people can make the development of legislation more efficient and ensure the legislation is enforced. Providing the government organizations with resources, such as funding, training, and subject matter experts, is necessary for achieving objectives defined in the legislation. Passage of the Forest Law proved that, with enough pressure, grassroots organizations and social movements have the capability to force the government to pass legislation to benefit underrepresented groups. Grassroots organizations should continue to band together to increase their influence and to raise the social, economic, and political consciousness of the Argentine citizens. While it may be difficult for any one group to have an influence, if the grassroots organizations combine efforts and create sufficient scale, they can ensure that their voices are heard. The Argentine government must develop effective legislation and agencies to balance stimulating the economy through soybean farming with its obligations to protect the smallholders, prevent land grabbing, and mitigate deforestation. Without clearly defined and allocated regulations, the negative impacts of the soybean industry will only further expand and become difficult to moderate in the future.

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