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Globalization, liberalization and prospects for the state

ABSTRACT. Patterns of globalization and liberalization need to be examined in light of their political consequences, especially in the context of situations of state collapse and violent conflict. Champions of globalization can be divided into two camps – the advocates of economic liberalization and the promoters of global governance. They share a common skepticism of the state, which ignores both the developmental lessons of history and the perverse impact liberalization has had on peace and security. While liberalization has transformed the terrain of politics, privileging a form of semi-democracy, problems of violent conflict highlight the urgent need for the reconstitution of modern states in the developing world

The Standard of Living in Latin America during the Twentieth Century.

New and consistent series for Latin American real incomes, life expectancy and adult literacy over the twentieth century reveal that living standards rose most rapidly between the 1930s and 1970s, a period characterised by increased state intervention and reduced trade openness. Within the region, Brazil and Mexico advanced most over the century as a whole despite the early start made by Argentina and Chile, although convergence between larger countries was accompanied by divergence from smaller ones. There was no sustained narrowing of the income gap with the US at all between 1900 and 2000 but some convergence in living standards due to improved life expectancy. Our new estimates of regional per capita income also permit a clearer comparison with both Europe and Asia. The major advances in living standards achieved in the middle decades of the century were closely related to early industrialization, rapid urbanization, and the extension of primary health and education. Subsequent economic volatility and fiscal fragility limited further increases in living standards, undermining social consensus on development strategy