Latin America and the Caribbean—like the rest of the world—is facing a challenge like none in its modern history. The coronavirus, with no vaccine or cure to curb it yet, has swept every continent, infecting more than 3.1 million people and killing more than 220,000 as of late April. Without a determined health response, it could have killed as many as 3.2 million people in our … [Read more...] about Policies to Fight the Pandemic in Latin America
Ensuring that the Gains from Trade are Inclusive and Sustainable
Thirty years ago, as part of their development strategy, and after many years of protectionism, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean embarked on a process of ambitious trade liberalization. This was only one of many different reforms made in the framework of the Washington consensus. But it was without question the most important one. Tariffs were eliminated, … [Read more...] about Ensuring that the Gains from Trade are Inclusive and Sustainable
The Unique and Essential Mission of Multilateral Research Departments
"What keeps you up at night?" That was a question posed to a gathering of leaders from government institutions around Latin America and the Caribbean some 25 years ago. In asking that question, the Research Department at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) laid down a mission that it has zealously pursued ever since. It's not just asking government leaders what worries … [Read more...] about The Unique and Essential Mission of Multilateral Research Departments
How Can Latin America and the Caribbean Avoid the Next Financial Crisis?
The crash on the New York stock exchange in 1929 brought depression to the world. That is probably why when the global financial crisis broke in 2008, some observers thought the contagion originating in New York would again spread south, causing a collapse in Latin America and the Caribbean. But that didn't happen. Why? The region's internal situation in 2008 was "lean and … [Read more...] about How Can Latin America and the Caribbean Avoid the Next Financial Crisis?
Why We Are Distilling Our Research Studies into Three Pages
Yesterday, I received 150 e-mails. All in all, it was an average day. During busy times, I can get as many as 250, and only rarely do I receive fewer than 100. Along with the emails, there are the text messages and everything I receive from social networks, news apps, radio, traditional newspapers and magazines, podcasts, and all the other platforms I use to keep myself … [Read more...] about Why We Are Distilling Our Research Studies into Three Pages