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on Central and South America |
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Issue of 2005‒01‒09
three papers chosen by |
| By: | Leandro Prados de la Escosura |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the connections between independence from Spain and Portugal and economic backwardness in Latin America. The release of the fiscal burden was offset by higher costs of self-government, while opening up to the international economy represented a handmaiden of growth. Independence had a very different impact across regions and widened regional disparities. The commitment to the colonial mercantilism conditioned the new republics’ performance but, on the whole, GDP per head increased in the half a century after emancipation. It appears that inherited Iberian institutions cannot be blamed for Latin America’s poor performance relative to the US, especially if the scope is widened to include the post-independence performance of former European colonies in Africa and Asia. It is suggested that before jumping to the usual negative assessment of nineteenth century Latin America, a comparison of post-independence performance in other world regions will be required. |
| Date: | 2004–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cte:whrepe:wh046816&r=lam |
| By: | Paul Siegel |
| Abstract: | The asset-based approach considers links between households’ productive, social, and locational assets; the policy, institutional, and risk context; household behavior as expressed in livelihood strategies; and well-being outcomes. For sustainable poverty reducing growth, it is critical to examine household asset portfolios and understand how assets interact with the context to influence the selection of livelihood strategies, which in turn determine well-being. Policy reforms can change the context and income-generating potential of assets. Investments can add new assets or increase the efficiency of existing household assets, and also improve households’ risk management capacity to protect assets. After all is said and done, a household’s asset portfolio will determine whether growth and poverty reduction can be achieved and sustained over time. The asset-based framework is amendable to different analytical techniques. Siegel suggests combining quantitative and qualitative spatial and household level analyses (and linked spatial and household level analyses) to deepen understanding of the complex relationships between assets, context, livelihood strategies, and well-being outcomes. This paper—a joint product of the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Vice Presidency and the Rural Development Family, Latin America and the Caribbean Region—is part of a larger effort in the Bank to strengthen analyses and strategies for rural development, and address policy issues and investment priorities. |
| Keywords: | Agriculture; Poverty; Rural Development; Social Development |
| Date: | 2005–01–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:3475&r=lam |
| By: | Lilyan E. Fulginiti (University of Nebraska); Richard K. Perrin (University of Nebraska) |
| Abstract: | This study shows that agricultural policies in Argentine agriculture substantially reduced the growth rate of output in 1940-1980. |
| Keywords: | agricultural production and structure, profit function, agricultural policies, Argentina |
| JEL: | P Q Z |
| Date: | 2005–01–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wpa:wuwpot:0501002&r=lam |