Development Theory and the Cold War: A Historical Analysis of Latin American Structuralism from 1930 to 1970

Latin America has experimented with two different development strategies over the last two centuries. First, and currently, an “outward-oriented” program based on exports of primary commodities. Alternatively, for a few years following World War II, a domestic industrialization from within strategy received support. A consensus that both models failed to achieve sustainable development in Latin America opened space for rethinking development theory and policy in the beginning of the twenty-first century. This dissertation uses an historical approach to analyze the post-WWII development theories in order to inform the new development debate. What motivated alternative theories and how were they conditioned by historical contexts? What were the consequences of accepting the policies prescription originated from these theories in Latin America? Why were alternative models and policies so short-lived? According to this dissertation the demise of development economics was due to both theoretical deficiencies and politics. To become resilient, development theory needs to build its core on historically grounded principles.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Economics (UMKC)

Grantor

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Bracarense, Natália

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Forstater, Mathew, 1961-

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10355/47453

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/47453