To drive in a major Latin American or Caribbean city is to know what it is like to be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, enveloped in clouds of exhaust, and driven to distraction by the bleating horns of exasperated commuters. The chronic gridlock in the region's megacities not only creates stress. It leads to accidents, pollution-related health problems, and climate-warming … [Read more...] about Using a Tax to Tackle Traffic
Want People to Pay Their Taxes? Try a Visit
For years, policy makers in Latin America and the Caribbean have struggled with the immense and chronic problem of tax evasion, which averages close to 50% in many countries and limits governments' ability to spend on schools, hospitals and other critical needs. The problem relates not only to the difficulty of finding tax delinquents. It has to do with the difficulty of … [Read more...] about Want People to Pay Their Taxes? Try a Visit
Why clientelism sparks corruption?
Art Against Corruption Twelve years ago, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 9 as "International Anti-Corruption Day." Today, it seems that this measure has already achieved its purpose, at least in Latin America and the Caribbean where we have unquestionably increased our awareness of the disease. It is widely recognized that corruption … [Read more...] about Why clientelism sparks corruption?
Ensuring Access to Quality Early Childhood Development: Anything but Child’s Play
“Ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.” This is one of many important targets set by the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2015. How hard will it be to achieve this goal by 2030? Answering this question requires picking this target apart, as … [Read more...] about Ensuring Access to Quality Early Childhood Development: Anything but Child’s Play
Five Reasons Why Latin Americans Save Less
Are Latin Americans less prone to save? When compared to regions with similar levels of economic development, why does Latin America fare poorly in terms of saving rates? Though several factors shape saving rates, a few are particularly important in generating these gaps at the household level. In particular, past experiences, psychological traits, and even genes or language … [Read more...] about Five Reasons Why Latin Americans Save Less