Patterns of Development in Latin America

In this major work an economist with long experience as an advisor in developing countries explores the conflict between market forces and political reform that has led straight into Latin America's most serious problems. John Sheahan addresses three central concerns: the persistence of poverty in Latin American countries despite rising national incomes, the connection between economic troubles and political repression, and the relationships between Latin America and the rest of the world in trade and finance, as well as overall dependence. His comprehensive explanation of why many Latin Americans identify open political systems with frustration and economic breakdown will interest not only economists but also a broad range of other social scientists. This is "political economy" in the classical sense of the word, establishing a clear connection between the political and economic realities of Latin America.

"This is an excellent book, unequalled in the existing scholarly literature. It fits an unoccupied niche in the social science literature: a discussion focused on economic topics on their own merits which is continentally comprehensive, historically informed, up to date in intellectual sophistication and contemporaneity, and exceptionally wellwritten."--Jorge I. Dominguez, Harvard University