A Monetary and Fiscal History of Latin America, 1960-2017

A major new book by dozens of leading economists examines the economic performance of the ten largest countries in South America and Mexico and argues that these crises have been the result of poorly designed or implemented fiscal and monetary policies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2022
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

A comprehensive examination of six decades of macroeconomic policies across the region delves into the underlying factors contributing to Latin America's economic development challenges over the past half-century. Alongside periods of subpar economic performance, the countries within the region have grappled with a diverse array of economic crises. This groundbreaking new work brings together a distinguished group of dozens of leading economists, who collaboratively explore the economic performance of the ten largest countries in South America and Mexico. Through their collective efforts, they advance a fundamental hypothesis that, despite varying manifestations, these crises can be traced back to poorly designed or inadequately implemented fiscal and monetary policies.

The book is organized into individual sections, each dedicated to a specific country. The opening chapter of each section presents a comprehensive database of the country's fiscal, monetary, and economic data spanning from 1960 to 2017. These chapters are derived from one-day academic conferences, hosted in all but one case, in the focus country. The conferences bring together noted economists, as well as former leading policy makers, to engage in lively discussions and share their insights. Co-authored by Nobel Prize winner Thomas J. Sargent, the editors' introduction provides a conceptual framework for analyzing fiscal and monetary policy in countries across the globe, particularly those in less developed regions.

A final chapter summarizes the key findings and offers recommendations for future research. This comprehensive resource is invaluable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of economics, as well as economic researchers and policy makers. A Monetary and Fiscal History of Latin America, 1960–2017, surpasses all other books in its emphasis on both the unique characteristics and shared similarities of the economic histories of Latin America's largest countries.

Contributors to this esteemed work include Mark Aguiar, from Princeton University; Fernando Alvarez, from the University of Chicago; Manuel Amador, from the University of Minnesota; and Joao Ayres, from the Inter-American Development Bank. Their collective expertise and contributions enrich the analysis and provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Latin America's economic development.

Weight: 1008g
Dimension: 180 x 254 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517911362