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Lost Decades: Postindependence Performance in Latin America and Africa

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  • Bates, Robert H.
  • Coatsworth, John H.
  • Williamson, Jeffrey G.

Abstract

Africa and Latin America secured independence from European colonial rule a century and half apart: most of Latin America by the 1820s and most of Africa by 1960. Despite the distance in time and space, they share important similarities. In each case independence was followed by political instability, violent conflict, and economic stagnation lasting for about a half-century. The parallels suggest that Africa might be exiting from a period of postimperial collapse and entering one of relative political stability and economic growth, as did Latin America almost two centuries ago.

Suggested Citation

  • Bates, Robert H. & Coatsworth, John H. & Williamson, Jeffrey G., 2007. "Lost Decades: Postindependence Performance in Latin America and Africa," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 67(4), pages 917-943, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:67:y:2007:i:04:p:917-943_00
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elsa V. Artadi & Xavier Sala-i-Martin, 2003. "The Economic Tragedy of the XXth Century: Growth in Africa," NBER Working Papers 9865, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Irigoin, María Alejandra, 2003. "Macroeconomic aspects of Spanish American independence : the effects of fiscal and currency fragmentation, 1800s-1860s," IFCS - Working Papers in Economic History.WH wh034509, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Instituto Figuerola.
    3. Williamson, Jeffrey G., 1999. "Real wages, inequality and globalization in latin america before 1940," Revista de Historia Económica / Journal of Iberian and Latin American Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(S1), pages 101-142, March.
    4. Ndulu,Benno J. & O'Connell,Stephen A. & Bates,Robert H. & Collier,Paul & Soludo,Chukwuma C., 2009. "The Political Economy of Economic Growth in Africa, 1960–2000," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521127752, January.
    5. Obstfeld,Maurice & Taylor,Alan M., 2005. "Global Capital Markets," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521671798, January.
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