The economics of contemporary Latin America
By: Beatriz Armendariz and Felipe Larraín B.
Contributors: Larraín B., Felipe, author
Publisher: The MIT Press
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 439
ISBN-13: 9780262533157
Subjects: Social conditions; Politics and government; Economic conditions
Description: Latin America is richly endowed with natural resources, fertile land, and vibrant cultures. Yet the region remains much poorer than its neighbors to the north. Most Latin American countries have not achieved standards of living and stable institutions comparable to those found in developed countries, have experienced repeated boom-bust cycles, and remain heavily reliant on primary commodities. This book studies the historical roots of Latin America's contemporary economic and social development, focusing on poverty and income inequality dating back to colonial times. It addresses today's legacies of the market-friendly reforms that took hold in the 1980s and 1990s by examining successful stabilizations and homemade monetary and fiscal institutional reforms. It offers a detailed analysis of trade and financial liberalization, twenty-first century-growth, and the decline in poverty and income inequality. Finally, the book offers an overall analysis of inclusive growth policies for development-including gender issues and the informal sector-and the challenges that lie ahead for the region, with special attention to pressing demands by the vibrant and vocal middle class, youth unemployment, and indigenous populations.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 351-403) and index.
Table of contents: title: Preface; title: List of acronyms; title: Geography and the colonial legacy; title: Export-led growth and the origins of protectionism; title: Import substitution industrialization; title: Debt crises and the lost decade; title: Poverty and income inequality; title: The political economy of Latin American development; title: Fiscal policy for development; title: The fight against inflation; title: Pegging, sliding and floating : managing exchange rates; title: Trade and financial liberalization; title: Labor markets, informality, and labor protection systems; title: Growth and development in Latin America.