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Arrested Development? Puerto Rico in an American Century

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  • Devereux, John

Abstract

Puerto Rico became an American colony in 1898, achieving self-rule after the Great Depression. The standard view is that Puerto Rican living standards stagnated before the policy changes of the New Deal and it has lost ground on the mainland since the early 1970s. I show these claims are mistaken. Using a new GDP index for 1900 to 1940, I show that income per capita grew at impressive rates during direct American rule and Puerto Rico escaped the worst ravages of the Great Depression. In addition, I find the recent growth slowdown is partly a statistical artifact.

Suggested Citation

  • Devereux, John, 2019. "Arrested Development? Puerto Rico in an American Century," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 79(3), pages 708-735, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:79:y:2019:i:03:p:708-735_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Marein, Brian, 2023. "Public health departments and the mortality transition in Latin America: Evidence from Puerto Rico," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    2. Marein, Brian, 2020. "Economic development in Puerto Rico after US annexation: Anthropometric evidence," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    3. Chen, Meng-Ting & Feliciano, Zadia M., 2024. "Intangible assets, corporate tax credits and pharmaceutical establishments," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).

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