Agricultural productivity growth in Latin America and the Caribbean: an analysis of climatic effects, catch‐up and convergence*

Author(s):  
Michée A. Lachaud ◽  
Boris E. Bravo‐Ureta
2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANGEL MELGUIZO ◽  
MARIANO BOSCH ◽  
CARMEN PAGES

AbstractThis article offers an overview of the current state of labor markets and pension coverage in a wide sample of Latin America and the Caribbean countries, and proposes a series of possible avenues toward universal coverage, not only as an instrument to fight poverty during old age, but also as part of an agenda for increasing formal employment and productivity growth. We conclude that despite perspectives of low economic growth and reduced fiscal space, the region is going through intense demographic and socio-economic changes, which increase the demand for better jobs and provide a real opportunity for initiating the bold reforms in pensions, labor, and taxes needed to achieve universal coverage.


2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1132-1135

Ann Harrison of Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania reviews, “Industrial Policy and Development: The Political Economy of Capabilities Accumulation” by Mario Cimoli, Giovanni Dosi and Joseph E. Stiglitz. The EconLit Abstract of this book begins: “ Nineteen papers explore state intervention in industry and markets, focusing on successful industrial policies and interventions. Papers discuss institutions and policies shaping industrial development—an introductory note; technological learning, policy regimes, and growth—the long-term patterns and some specificities of a “"globalized'' economy; emulation versus comparative advantage—competing and complementary principles in the history of economic policy; industrial policies in developing countries—history and perspectives; industrial tariffs, international trade, and development; the (slow) return of industrial policies in Latin America and the Caribbean; the different capabilities of east Asia and Latin America to “"demand-adapt'' and “"supply-upgrade'' their export productive capacity; microeconomic evolution in high uncertainty contexts—the manufacturing sector in Argentina; the impact of public policies in Brazil along the path from semistagnation to growth in a Sino-centric market; the past, present, and future of industrial policy in India—adapting to the changing domestic and international environment; growth and development in China and India—the role of industrial and innovation policy in rapid catch-up; the political economy of industrial policy in Asia and Latin America; the roles of research at universities and public labs in economic catch-up; nationality of firm ownership in developing countries—who “"crowds out'' whom in imperfect markets; a question of trust—historical lessons for current development; competition policy and industrial development; latecomer entrepreneurship—a policy perspective; intellectual property and industrial development—a critical assessment; and the future of industrial policies in the new millennium—toward a knowledge-centered development agenda. Cimoli is with the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Department of Economics at the University of Venice (Ca Foscari). Dosi is Professor of Economics at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University and Co-President of the Initiative for Policy Dialogue. Index.


2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 663-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
AURORA GÓMEZ-GALVARRIATO ◽  
JEFFREY G. WILLIAMSON

AbstractThe new trade data used here document the significance of industrialisation in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico after 1870. By 1910 Brazil and Mexico, in particular, led most of the poor periphery in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. While some of this impressive industrialisation was due to fast productivity growth in manufacturing, perhaps yielding some catch-up on their competitors in the United States and Europe, this article argues that there were even more powerful forces at work. Much of the industrialisation that occurred in Latin America was due to a cessation in the seven-decade rise in its net barter terms of trade, trends that reversed the deindustrialisation and ‘Dutch Disease’ forces that had dominated Latin America for almost a century. Equally important for Brazil and Mexico was favourable policy in the form of higher effective rates of protection for manufacturing, and a depreciation of the real exchange rate. These policies were missing in Argentina and Chile, and industrialisation suffered there as a consequence. Changing market conditions and policies seem to have been more important than changing fundamentals in accounting for Latin American industrialisation after 1870.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document