Topics in Economic History (ECO BC 2014)
Latin America in the Twentieth Century:
Institutions and Political Economy of Growth
This course uses basic political economic concepts to examine key issues in the economic history of Latin America during the 20th Century. It begins with a summary of economic policies, their successes and shortcomings since World War II. From that standpoint, it asks why, even though they share similars in factor endowments and other characteristics as western hemispheric countries, has the economic performance in the countries in Latin American lagged behind that in the United States and Canada? Particular focus will be given to the role of institutions as an explanation of lagging performance. Contrasts will be made between neoclassical, modernizationist, and dependency theories to identify some insights provided by a better understanding of the institutional environment. Besides offering an overview of the region, different sections of the course will focus on Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico. Because they are historically path-dependent, institutions can explain the long-run persistence of poverty and inequality in Latin America. But institutions are not static. Institutional change in Latin America over the last century has been significant. Needs continue to present challenges, but also hope, for a brighter and more egalitarian future.
Professor A. Dye: ad245@columbia.edu
Department of Economics, Barnard College
Office: 9 B Lehman
Phone: x43868
Office hours: Tues. 4:00-5:00 pm, Thurs. 10:45-11:45 am.