Americas Quarterly

an annual real return of only 8 per- prehensive diagnosis of the current ico for potential lessons. Ariel Fer-cent ( 3. 2 percent after commissions)— state of Mexico’s reformed pension rari Ibarra explores the Uruguayan far below the gains reaped by private system. The technical jargon can be system, which he argues provides an pension fund investors in countries heavy at times, but public policy stu- interesting example of a “mixed” sys-such as Chile ( 17 percent in 2006) dents will find the book no-nonsense tem that incorporates both defined and Peru ( 18 to 30 percent in 2006). and straightforward. benefit (specified monthly benefits As if that weren’t enough, the system In one of the key essays, Ramírez at retirement) and defined con-faces severe hurdles in the current López and Albert Valencia Armas tribution (unspecified retirement Mexican economic climate. Accord- explore how Mexico’s current demo- benefits). Jairo Humberto Restrepo ing to a recently released report by graphic transition affects wages, Zea analyzes the 1993 health care the Mexican Social Security Insti- employment and pensions. They reform in Colombia and the effects tute, benefits exceed contributions conclude that the surge in retir- of health care institutions on aging to the tune of $730 million annually ees facing declining real wages in populations. According to Restrepo ( 9 percent of GDP). Thus, workers an anemic national economy may Zea, “market structures can lead retiring today can expect to receive overwhelm the system and possibly to barriers to access” and coverage only 36 percent of their average sal- lead to under-funded promises. The when efficiency and profitability take ary—nearly 40 percent less than they method of enacting reforms therefore precedence. would have received if the reforms is key to the process, they argue. “It A key theme raised throughout had never been executed. Mexican would be unviable to posit a change the book is the need to develop a policymakers are now faced with the to individual accounts, as this would financially sustainable but socially unenviable task of correcting these only change the way pensions are equitable pension system. Several imbalances. funded while keeping pensions options are offered to reach this goal.

Rather than simply listing “eco- financially unsustainable,” Valencia For example, Ham Chande and José nomic effects,” as the title suggests, Armas explains. Luis Salas-Lizaur call for a renewed these essays actually provide a com- Several essays look beyond Mex- social pact that protects the most

Review: Literature and Arts of the Americas

Contemporary Argentine Writing and Arts

Issue 75 (Volume 40 Number 2)

Founded in 1968, Review is the major forum in the United States for contemporary writing in English and English translation from throughout the Americas as well as for coverage of arts in the hemisphere. Review is published by Routledge in association with Americas Society.

Review 75 opens with a section of scholarly articles developed by Guest Academic Editor Raúl Antelo on topics such as the decade of the seventies in Argentine literature and the influence of the pampa on Argentine identity. This issue also showcases a section of creative material, compiled by Guest Creative Editor María Negroni, by Argentine writers and artists of various generations and aesthetics, including the poetry of Leopoldo Castilla, Juan Gelman, and Hugo Padeletti; fiction by Liliana Heer, Sergio Chejfec, and Alan Pauls; and essays by Edgardo Cozarinsky, Tamara Kamenszain, and Beatriz Sarlo. Review 75 features art by Alberto Greco (cover artist) and Roberto Jacoby; and pieces on Argentine music.