The Political Economy of Poverty, Equity, and Growth: Brazil and Mexico

Do national economic policies cause economic decline in developing countries, or do the conflicts between special interest groups force economic inequalities which might not otherwise exist? This work provides a current account of the economic histories of Brazil and Mexico since 1950. It analyzes how institutions, ideologies, power elites, and interest groups have affected each nation's economic growth and distribution of income. Maddison discusses key factors responsible for the economic progress of these countries--accumulated capital, productivity increases, relatively unimpeded foreign investment, and reasonably good foreign exchange rates.