Market, socialist, and mixed economies : comparative policy and performance : Chile, Cuba, and Costa Rica

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.Topics include: the roles of the state and the market; development strategies; potential tradeoffs between growth and equity; the divergent effects of the 1980s economic crisis in these countries; and short- and medium-term prospects for each of these three economic systems. Of particular interest are the indicators used to evaluate performance, including domestic macroeconomic indicators, external economic indicators, distribution and employment indicators, and social standards indicators. In terms of systematic comparison, methodology, and measurement of performance, this book breaks new ground in the fields of Latin American economics and comparative economic systems. 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.--jacket. Chile: The Market Model -- Monetarism, Adjustment, And The First Crisis: 1973-1976 -- Monetarism, Open Economy, Growth, And Indebtedness: 1976-1981 -- Second Crisis And State Intervention: 1981-1983 -- Corrections, Recovery, And Economic Boom: 1984-1990 -- Democracy, Continuation Of The Economic Model, And Growth With Equity: 1990-1994 -- Cuba: The Socialist Model -- Liquidation Of Capitalism And Market Erosion: 1959-1960 -- Orthodox (stalinist) Central Planning Model: 1961-1963 -- Debate Over And Test Of Alternative Socialist Models: 1964-1966 -- Adoption And Radicalization Of The Guevarist Model: 1966-1970 -- Introduction Of A Moderate Soviet (pre-gorbachev) Model Of Economic Reform: 1971-1985 -- Antimarket Rectification Process: 1986-1990 -- Market-oriented Reform: 1991 And Following -- Costa Rica: The Mixed Model -- Establishing The Foundations Of The Model: 1940-1958 -- Consolidation, Expansion, And Crisis Of The Model: 1958-1982 -- Stabilization, Adjustment, And Restructuring: 1982-1994 -- Comparisons Of Policies And Performance -- Comparison Of Policies -- Comparison Of Performance. Carmelo Mesa-lago ; With Alberto Arenas De Mesa ... [et Al]. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 665-694) And Index. "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."--BOOK JACKET. In spite of significant advances in the last three decades, the field of Latin American development still suffers from the lack of a systematic, sophisticated methodology to compare specific economic models ( their policies and performance) among the various countries in the region or a selected group of them.