EH225      One Unit
Latin America and the International Economy

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Availability

How can we explain Latin America’s persistent inequality and uneven development? This course explores the region’s development trajectory in relation to the international economy from the colonial period (c. 1500–1800) to the present. It examines how political, economic, institutional, demographic, and environmental factors shaped — and were shaped by — Latin America’s integration into the world economy.

Key themes include: the long-run determinants of Latin American development; the legacy of colonialism and its impact on inequality; the formation of modern states and markets; Latin America’s complex engagement with international markets and institutions; the persistent tension between development efforts and political and macroeconomic instability; Latin America’s industrialisation efforts, especially in contrast to the European and East Asian development models; and the evolution of political regimes — from authoritarianism to democracy, through waves of populism and military rule.

The course pays particular attention to the interaction between policy choices, political culture, and economic outcomes, exploring their short- and long-term effects on poverty, inequality, and prospects for sustainable development.

Due to its interdisciplinary nature, the course will appeal to students in Economic History, Economics, International History, Political Science, Development, and International Relations.

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 40 hours across Autumn and Winter Term. 

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.

Students are expected to write a short weekly report, to be presented verbally, either individually or in a team throughout the course.

V. Bulmer-Thomas (2014) The Economic History of Latin America since Independence, Cambridge University Press, Ibid. (2012) The Economic History of the Caribbean since the Napoleonic Wars, Cambridge University Press; P. Franko, (2007) The puzzle of Latin American economic development, Rowman & Littlefield; J. L. Gallup, (2003) Is geography destiny?: lessons from Latin America, World Bank; E. Stein, et al. (2008) Policymaking in Latin America: how politics shapes policies, IADB; V. Bulmer-Thomas, JH Coatsworth, and R. Cortés Conde (2006) The Cambridge Economic History of Latin America, Cambridge University Press 2 vols; Ocampo, JA, and Ross, J (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Latin American Economics. Oxford: Oxford University Press;  Bértola, L and Ocampo, JA (2012), The economic development of Latin America since independence. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Scartascini, CG., Stein E. and Tommasi, M (2010). How democracy works: political institutions, actors, and arenas in Latin American policymaking. [Washington, D.C.]: IADB; Blake, C.H (2007) Politics in Latin America 2nd edition Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company. Edwards, S, Esquivel, G & Márquez, G. (2007) The decline of Latin American economies growth, institutions, and crises. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; Bethell, L. (1984/2008) The Cambridge History of Latin America, Cambridge University Press, vols IV and VI

Exam (70%), duration: 120 Minutes in the Spring exam period

Essay (30%, 3000 words)