Guiding the Invisible Hand

This unprecedented collection combines economic, political, and intellectual history in its analysis of economic liberalism in Latin America. The volume demonstrates the unique and varied features of Latin American liberalism from its formative period up to 1940 and discusses its relation to state formation. The essays range from a continent-wide comparison to an in-depth local study, from tariff and industrialization policies of central states to the selective liberal convictions of traditional estate owners. The contributors consider the social bases of economic liberalism in the region and their relation to imperialism and to economic dependency. Questions of the strength and the staying power of economic liberalism are considered. In addition, the late appearance of serious alternative policies are treated.