The Puzzle of Latin American Economic Development - Softcover

Franko, Patrice

3.39

41 ratings by Goodreads

9780742524668: The Puzzle of Latin American Economic Development

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0742524663 ISBN 13: 9780742524668

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003

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Fully revised and updated, this text provides the basic economic tools for students to understand the problems facing the countries of Latin America. In this second edition, Patrice Franko analyzes challenges to the neoliberal model of development and highlights recent macroeconomic changes in the region, including the broad move to a floating exchange rate and the collapse of the Argentine economy. Including charts and tables with the most current data available, the book also offers a wealth of new boxed discussions and vignettes.

After a brief historical overview, Franko builds a contemporary model of regional development. She explores the contradictions of growth, especially in the context of overcoming intractable problems of poverty, education, health, and discrimination. Franko focuses on factors of competitiveness, including labor markets, technology, and infrastructure challenges. Inviting students to view challenges through the eyes of policymakers, the text encourages a critical assessment of past and present policy choices. Data exercises promote research skills and highlight the diversity of development experiences in the region. Liberally interspersed with examples and case studies, the author successfully combines theory and its application in the real world.

This innovative yet user-friendly text simultaneously challenges strong students while clarifying the fundamentals for novices. By exploring the difficult choices facing Latin American policymakers, the author gives readers interested in economics or in Latin American studies the conceptual means to understand the puzzle of strong, sustainable, and equitable growth in the region.

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About the Author:

Patrice Franko is Grossman Professor of Economics at Colby College.

Review:

Praise for the First Edition This text has served as an invaluable guide to my course on Latin American economic development, and it has helped to enliven class debates. It is comprehensive, concise, and beautifully written. The book offers clear definitions of numerous concepts and economic development terms that are extremely useful and accessible for students at all levels of learning. I highly recommend it.... (Carol Wise)

Praise for the First Edition This useful text . . . is a welcome addition to the growing list of texts surveying the economics of Latin America. . . . A wealth of details is provided on the author's presentation, which includes numerous charts and graphs on major issues such as privatization, trade, finance, competitiveness, and social policies.... (Choice)

An essential book about Latin American economies. (Latin-Focus)

Praise for the First Edition Patrice Franko's book is engaging, it focuses on important contemporary issues, and it challenges students. This text will serve introductory students well, while also offering sufficient analytical substance and institutional detail for those with more background in economics. It clearly illustrates how economics can help us understand important issues in the region.... (David Schodt)

Praise for the First Edition Patrice Franko's book is engaging, it focuses on important contemporary issues, and it challenges students. This text will serve introductory students well, while also offering sufficient analytical substance and institutional detail for those with more background in economics. It clearly illustrates how economics can help us understand important issues in the region. (David Schodt)

Praise for the First Edition This text has served as an invaluable guide to my course on Latin American economic development, and it has helped to enliven class debates. It is comprehensive, concise, and beautifully written. The book offers clear definitions of numerous concepts and economic development terms that are extremely useful and accessible for students at all levels of learning. I highly recommend it. (Carol Wise)

Praise for the First Edition This useful text . . . is a welcome addition to the growing list of texts surveying the economics of Latin America. . . . A wealth of details is provided on the author's presentation, which includes numerous charts and graphs on major issues such as privatization, trade, finance, competitiveness, and social policies. (Choice)

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