Entrepreneurship in Latin America bears no resemblance to that of other regions: beginning with size—most businesses are micro or small— and ending with motivation—entrepreneurs are what they are more "by necessity" than "by opportunity." On top of these traits, Latin American entrepreneurs have little appetite for risk and innovation which, together with the limited … [Read more...] about A Comparative Disadvantage for Latin American Entrepreneurs
Productive Development Policies in a Nutshell: A Tale of Two Interventions
Productive development policies (or industrial policies) can prove to be a key tool for a country’s development. Yet, as experience in Latin America clearly shows, they can also create serious problems. Nevertheless, these policies take a variety of forms. The key question is: what types of industrial policies should be adopted and which ones should not? This issue was the … [Read more...] about Productive Development Policies in a Nutshell: A Tale of Two Interventions
The Do’s and Don’ts of “Nudging”
How can governments guide people to make choices that would improve their welfare? Traditionally, the focus has been on changing prices; for instance, higher cigarette taxes encourage people to smoke less. Lately, “nudges” have become a favorite tool, and are becoming increasingly popular in developed and developing countries alike. Latin American governments are no … [Read more...] about The Do’s and Don’ts of “Nudging”
Can Citizens Act Effectively as Watchdogs?
Governments and international donors have long struggled to ensure accountability in large projects where patronage, inefficiency or outright corruption can lead to misallocation of resources and funds. One innovation has been the creation of community-monitoring initiatives that allow citizens to provide feedback on projects. Proponents believe such social audits not only … [Read more...] about Can Citizens Act Effectively as Watchdogs?
The Great Suppression: What should LAC Expect in the New Year?
The performance of the world economy has been disappointing to say the least. After the Great Moderation came the Great Recession, but since 2009 the world has been suffering from a Great Suppression (GS). In Japan, growth is being suppressed by a liquidity trap with interest rates firmly at the zero bound. In the Eurozone, high debts and private sector deleveraging are … [Read more...] about The Great Suppression: What should LAC Expect in the New Year?