Market, Socialist, and Mixed Economies: Comparative Policy and Performance--Chile, Cuba, and Costa Rica - Softcover

Mesa-Lago, Carmelo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801877482 ISBN 13: 9780801877483

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003

Synopsis

How can we determine which economic model best provides for economic development and social welfare? In this major comparative work, noted economist Carmelo Mesa-Lago analyzes three Latin American countries with divergent economic systems: Chile (a market economy), Cuba (socialist), and Costa Rica (mixed). He examines their economic and social policies, shows how these policies affect performance based on a set of socioeconomic variables, and ranks the countries among themselves (using new techniques) and in comparison with international indicators. The time frame of the study embraces thirty-eight years for Costa Rica (under the democratic social democracy) and Cuba (under the socialist revolution) and twenty-four years for Chile (under Pinochet and the return to democracy). Mesa-Lago focuses on the three diverse socioeconomic models that these countries represent during these periods.

About this title

About the Author:

Carmelo Mesa-Lago is Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Economics and Latin American Studies University of Pittsburgh, and has been visiting professor, researcher or lecturer in 40 countries. A former President of the Latin American Studies Association he is  author of 82 books and 275 articles on Latin America's social security, the Cuban economy and social welfare, and comparative economic systems, published in 7 languages in 34 countries.  His most recent books are: Reassembling Social Security: A Survey of Pension and Healthcare Reforms in Latin America (Oxford University Press, 2012); Cuba en la era de Raúl Castro: Reformas económico-sociales y sus efectos (Editorial Colibrí, 2012) and Cuba Under Raul Castro: Assessing the Reforms (with Jorge Pérez-López, Lynne Reinner, 2013). He has been awarded: the ILO International Prize on Decent Work (shared with Nelson Mandela), the Alexander Von Humbolt Stiftung Senior Prize, two Fulbright Senior Awards, University of Pittsburgh Senior Research Prize, Arthur Whitaker Prize, Choice recognition for outstanding books, Annual Recognition from the Association for the Study of the Cuban Economy, Homage from OISS and CISS for life work on social security, and the Institute of Cuban Studies and the journal Encuentro for life work on Cuba's economy, finalist in Spain's Prince of Asturias Prize on Social Sciences. Member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and the editorial board of seven academic journals. 

Review:

"A wonderfully discerning book in the comparative economic policies and performances of Chile, Cuba and Costa Rica" (Albert O. Hirschman, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton University, 2000).

"From Mesa-Lago's imaginative use of comparative methods we gain much greater insight into each of the three countries than a traditional country monograph would provide. Both those interested in comparative economic systems learn much that is new and useful from this pioneering study" (Frederic Pryor, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Swarthmore College, 2000).

"This book is the magnum opus of Carmelo Mesa-Lago, the zenith in his unique academic career, the product of detailed research for more than a decade [and] a rare example of the knowledge and use of the literature about the three countries analyzed. It revitalizes the field of development theory because of its boldness, ambitious goals and solid foundations" (Jorge Rovira Más, Ciencias Sociales, San Jose, 2002).

"Mesa-Lago is already known for his scientific rigor, abundant use of statistics to support his findings and sharp analysis, which he now applies to the fundamental task of advancing the field of comparative economic systems.The discipline of development lacks systematic studies contrasting specific economic models using a common analytical framework, a vacuum filled by this book." (Marcos Lorenzelli, Cuadernos del CLAEH,  2003). 

"Undoubtedly, this book will illuminate the path of many future works both within and outside Latin America" (Ernesto Aldo Isuani,  Socialis: Reflexiones Latinoamericanas sobre Política Social,  2002).

About this edition

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0801877482
• ISBN 13: 9780801877483
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 736