The Economic Development of Latin America since Independence

The development failures and challenges of Latin America today are deeply rooted in its past. This lucid and authoritative book by two of the continents leading scholars is the place to start to understand how that past was formed and has evolved to shape the present in all its complexity. Indispensable. * James Robinson, David Florence Professor of Government, Harvard University *
A superb study of two centuries of Latin American economic history, bringing together fresh data and modern development thinking. For the first time we can track the shifts in inequality over time, while the global context and the instability it causes are brilliantly handled. The country variations are delicately traced but never at the expense of the overall pattern. * Rosemary Thorp, Oxford University *
Bértola and Ocampo have written the most up-to-date synthesis of the economic history of Latin America. The authors write with vigor and clarity on the leading issues that dominate current debates on the long-run development of Latin America, including convergence and divergence, income distribution, the institutional framework and instability. They base their findings on an impressive set of historical data covering all countries in different time periods. This book is destined to become not only the basic textbook on Latin American economic history but also an excellent platform for intellectual discussions on the challenges for development in historical perspective. * Carlos Marichal, El Colegio de México *
Bértola and Ocampo have produced a penetrating, original, and clear-headed economic history of Latin America from Independence to 21st century globalization. Indispensable reading for understanding Latin Americas late development, historic inequalities, evolving institutions, and contemporary economic challenges, all brilliantly compressed into a single volume. * John Coatsworth, Provost, Columbia University *
This is a welcome addition to our understanding of Latin America's economic history since independence. ... this book demonstrates how much progress has been made in the last few decades in terms of our understanding. * Victor Bulmer-Thomas, Journal of Latin American Studies *