The Decline of Latin American Economies: Growth, Institutions, and Crises (National Bureau of Economic Research Conference Report) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0226185001 ISBN 13: 9780226185002

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2007

Synopsis

Latin America’s economic performance is mediocre at best, despite abundant natural resources and flourishing neighbors to the north. The perplexing question of how some of the wealthiest nations in the world in the nineteenth century are now the most crisis-prone has long puzzled economists and historians. The Decline of Latin American Economies examines the reality behind the struggling economies of Argentina, Chile, and Mexico.

A distinguished panel of experts argues here that slow growth, rampant protectionism, and rising inflation plagued Latin America for years, where corrupt institutions and political unrest undermined the financial outlook of already besieged economies. Tracing Latin America’s growth and decline through two centuries, this volume illustrates how a once-prosperous continent now lags behind. Of interest to scholars and policymakers alike, it offers new insight into the relationship between political systems and economic development.

About this title

About the Author

Sebastian Edwards is the Henry Ford II Professor of International Economics in the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Review

"The papers . . . are almost uniformly excellent. Their authors are a distinguished group. Chances are if you're interested in Latin America, you will learn something new." (Richard J. Salvucci EH.Net)

"The papers are well-written and of high analytical quality. . . . The various authors are generally successful in making the transition from empirical research to understandable and logical conclusions. This is certainly a strong point of the book: it makes high-level empirical analyses accessible to policy makers/" (Matthew Q. McPherson Eastern Economic Journal)

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0226185001
• ISBN 13: 9780226185002
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 376
• Editor: Edwards Sebastian, Esquivel Gerardo, Márquez Graciela