Reading response questions:

1) Peetz identifies several variables among the Central American cases he studied. How could those be applied to Colombia and Mexico? What other variables might help explain violence in all five countries?
2) Corchado is a journalist; Peetz, a political scientists; and Palacios, a historian. How are their approaches to explaining the background of violence different? What are the strengths and weaknesses of each approach? What could you borrow and combine to create a stronger study?
3) How do this week’s readings compare and contrast with previous readings, e.g., the polar opposite conclusions of Palacios and Mayka regarding the Colombian judicial system?
4) Based on the readings, raise a critical question that you would like to ask, and specify why do you think the question is relevant?