Latin American countries have wide-ranging experiences with economic policies and macroeconomic outcomes. The social and economic consequences have at times been adverse and dramatic. The Monetary and Fiscal History of Latin America project has produced systematic evidence using comparable datasets from these varied historical experiences to help build a knowledge base for the … [Read more...] about Examining the Interplay of Monetary and Fiscal Policies in Latin America
#macroeconomics
Take Obama’s Advice on Climate Change: Droughts Are Hurting Latin America
After his visit to Argentina last week, Barack Obama posted on Facebook a picture of a beautiful landscape in Patagonia where he went trekking along glacial lakes, as an example of what he called “exactly the kind of place we need to protect for our kids, and for their kids.” Climate change is high on the American president’s agenda and it’s an issue with consequences that are … [Read more...] about Take Obama’s Advice on Climate Change: Droughts Are Hurting Latin America
Fighting the Spending Demon
We buy everything we crave at the supermarket; purchase the latest electronic gizmos the minute they appear; and download movies on the internet with abandon. Then we wonder why we have no money for a new car or savings for retirement. What in the world is wrong with us? The truth is that we aren't as morally weak as we think. Science shows that many of us are genetically wired … [Read more...] about Fighting the Spending Demon
Adjusting to Shocks to Protect the Region’s Future
Commodity prices are falling or are at their lowest point in years. The demographic boom is fading. Debts are on the rise, and many currencies have undergone sharp depreciations. What does all this mean for Latin America and the Caribbean? Our 2016 Macroeconomic Report Time to Act looks at some of the critical issues facing countries in the region. It explores the fiscal … [Read more...] about Adjusting to Shocks to Protect the Region’s Future
Commodity Prices (Again): Permanent or Temporary Shocks?
I returned home recently from another excellent “di Tella Summer Camp”. It’s no longer in the summer, it was not held in the Universidad Torcuato di Tella and it’s now called the Workshop in International Economics and Finance but the event is still going strong; this was the 19th year! Our extremely hospitable hosts were the Central Bank of Colombia and in the “policy panel” … [Read more...] about Commodity Prices (Again): Permanent or Temporary Shocks?