Argentine economic history has long presented a puzzle: how could a country that was once one of the worlds richest, now fare so poorly? What is the economic story behind such long run divergence? And how does economic reality reflect deeper social, institutional and political forces? Not since the publication of Carlos Díaz Alejandros Essays on the Economic History of the Argentine Republic in 1970 has there been a new standard reference for those seeking a more quantitative understanding of Argentinas development. In the intervening years research in the 'new economic history has crafted a more sophisticated interpretation of the past. This book provides the reader access to the latest research, focusing on long-run economic change, major developments in policy making, and important shifts in institutions and ideas. The lessons from Argentinas turbulent economic past represent the essential context for the issues that confront scholars, students, and policy-makers today.
1. Introduction Gerardo della Paolera and Alan M. Taylor; 2. Between independence and the golden age: the early Argentine economy Ricardo D. Salvatore and Carlos Newland; 3. Business, government, and law Sergio Berensztein and Horacio Spector; 4. International trade and commercial policy Julio Berlinski; 5. Agriculture Yair Mundlak and Marcelo Regúnga; 6. Industry María Inés Barbero and Fernando Focchi; 7. The labor market Sebastián Galiani and Pablo Gerchunoff; 8. Capital formation: saving, investment, and foreign capital Alan M. Taylor; 9. Banking and finance 1900-35 Leonard I. Nakamura and Carlos E. J. M. Zarazaga; 10. Business cycles Adolfo Sturzenegger and Ramiro Moya; 11. Passing the buck: monetary and fiscal policies Gerardo della Paolera, Maria Alejandra Irigoin and Carlos Guillermo Bózzoli; 12. Conclusion Gerardo della Paolera and Alan M. Taylor; 13. Statistical appendix Gerardo della Paolera and Alan M. Taylor.