decisions too many times. But policies are the result of political institutions, and since institutions are
hard to change, the resilience and
recurrence of these problems is a
lasting challenge.
The real problems in Latin America—some of the book’s authors argue, and many of us agree—are ineffective legal systems, uncertain
property rights (particularly, long-term insecurity about such rights),
weakness of the rule of law, poorly
designed federalism systems, and
lackluster tax collection, among
others.
The essays fall short, however, in
suggestions about how to close the
development gap. The authors offer textbook prescriptions, such as
reforming and strengthening public institutions, reducing social inequality, implementing more sensible and stable economic policies, and
promoting further engagement with
the global trading system. Until now,
these have proved elusive.
Perhaps it is too much to ask for
new solutions to a problem that has
endured for 300 years. Nevertheless,
more attention to why such solutions have proved inadequate—as
well as an imaginative look at other
remedies—would have been welcome. For some, the book may appear similar to the doctor who suggests to a patient to lose weight, but
declines to offer advice on how to
eat less and exercise more. But this
may be asking too much. All the
same, the book’s overview of differences in economic performance
makes it a worthwhile reference
work, and it is a stimulating read
for students, scholars, policymakers, and the general audience interested in Latin America.
First Look
The best new and recent books on policy, economics
and business in the hemisphere.
Fresh Look
The Cuba Wars: Fidel Castro, the United States,
and the Next Revolution
By Daniel P. Erikson
Bloomsbury Press, 2008, softcover, 320 pages
Daños Colaterales: La vida de un diplomático en
la pesadilla de Iraq
By Ignacio Rupérez
Editorial Planeta, 2008, softcover, 300 pages
El desafío latinoamericano: cohesión social y democracia
By Bernardo Sorj and Danilo Martuccelli
Siglo XXI Editora Iberoamericana, 2008, softcover, 320 pages
Development, Democracy, and Welfare States:
Latin America, East Asia, and Eastern Europe
By Stephan Haggard and Robert R. Kaufman
Princeton University Press, 2008, softcover, 502 pages
The Dictator’s Shadow: Life Under Augusto Pinochet
By Heraldo Muñoz
Basic Books, 2008, hardcover, 265 pages
Las escuelas que tenemos
By Bárbara Eyzaguirre A. and Loreto Fontaine C.
Centro de Estudios Públicos (CEP), softcover, 2008, 359 pages
Um Nordeste em São Paulo-Trabalhadores migrantes em
São Miguel Paulista
By Paulo Fontes
Fundação Getulio Vargas, 2008, softcover, 348 pages
Radical Democracy in the Andes
By Donna Lee Van Cott
Cambridge University Press, 2008, softcover, 236 pages
Nicolás Ducoté is co-founder and
director general of CIPPEC (Center
for the Implementation of Public
Policies Promoting Equity and
Growth), one of the leading think
tanks in Argentina.
Rethinking Foreign Investment for Development: Lessons
from the Americas
By Kevin P. Gallagher & Daniel Chudnovsky
Anthem Press, 2009, hardcover, forthcoming
Unclogging the Arteries: The Impact of Transport Costs
on Latin American and Caribbean Trade
By Mauricio Mesquita Moreira, Christian Volpe and Juan S. Blyde
Inter-American Development Bank & David Rockfeller Center for Latin
American Studies at Harvard University, 2008, softcover, 176 pages
