Mercatus Events

Southern Comfort: Economic Development in Latin America committee

Jun 09, 2005 – Jun 10, 2005
12:00am – 11:45pm

Schedule:

Session One: Thursday, June 9, 2005
The Latin American Experience with Prosperity and Poverty
Dr. Cris Lingle  
Professor of Economics
Universidad Francisco Marroquin

Session Two: Friday, June 10, 2005
Policy Choices of Latin American Rulers and the Future
Dr. Cris Lingle  
Professor of Economics
Universidad Francisco Marroquin

Latin America has historically been an important region for American foreign policy.  Its development has long been a goal of aid dollars, billions have been given in the name of economic development. Yet Latin America struggles to find prosperity.  Dysfunctional governments, combined with rampant inflation and paralyzing foreign debt, have left many Latin American people without money, without jobs, and in some places, without running water and electricity.  So what is the key to developing sustainable economies in Latin America?  How have some countries been able to find moderate success in creating prosperity?  How can aid dollars be successful in lifting Latin America up out of economic stagnation?

To investigate these questions and search for possible solutions, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University will host Dr. Cris Lingle, Professor of Economics at Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala.  Dr. Lingle will present his first-hand knowledge of Latin America in a two-day course that will examine the historical and current obstacles to prosperity facing Latin American countries. 

Join your colleagues as Dr. Lingle presents and discusses the following questions:

  • What can economics teach us about sustained development in Latin America?  Why have some countries succeed while others have continued to fail?
  • What does the future look like for economies in Latin American countries?  What role does foreign aid play into that future?
  • What role can trade play in economic development?  How can the region benefit from trade?
  • How do trade agreements in general affect the region?  Who stands to gain from freer trade between America and Latin American countries?  Who will lose from free trade?