Unit IV: State and Nation Making in Latin America and Spain: Republics of the Possible (Centeno) Flashcards
(60 cards)
What drove significant economic growth in late 19th century Latin America?
The export of primary commodities such as coffee, wool, and minerals.
This growth was accompanied by deep social and economic inequalities.
How did the concentration of land ownership affect the majority of the population in late 19th century Latin America?
It limited access to resources for the majority of the population.
The elite controlled vast estates dedicated to export commodities.
What economic vulnerability did Latin American countries face during the late 19th century?
Reliance on foreign capital and markets made economies vulnerable to global fluctuations.
This exacerbated existing inequalities.
What were ‘enclave economies’ in the context of late 19th century Latin America?
Economies characterized by the production of a single commodity for export, with limited linkages to the domestic economy.
This structure hindered industrialization.
What social and political consequences arose from the inequalities in late 19th century Latin America?
It fostered social and political instability, leading to unrest and conflicts.
Violent uprisings and civil wars were common.
What minimal redistributive effects did the economic system in late 19th century Latin America have?
The state often protected elite interests, undermining efforts for social equality.
Public policies aimed at improving social mobility were often ineffective.
What role did public policies play in the context of social mobility in late 19th century Latin America?
They were often undermined by local elites and lacked a professional state bureaucracy.
This limited their effectiveness in promoting equality.
What was the impact of expanding suffrage in late 19th century Latin America?
It did little to empower the masses due to manipulation through clientelism and fraud.
Elections were often controlled by elites.
What challenges did Latin American states face in building strong and effective states during the 19th century?
Fiscal weakness, internal conflicts, and inability to effectively regulate territories.
These challenges persist today.
What dimensions are crucial for analyzing state capacity according to the authors?
- Territoriality
- Economic power
- Infrastructural power
- Symbolic power
Each dimension plays a role in the effectiveness of state-building.
How did the concentration of land ownership affect the development of internal markets in 19th century Latin America?
It hindered the development because the majority lacked purchasing power.
This reinforced export-oriented agriculture.
What geographic factors influenced state consolidation in Latin America?
Compact geography facilitated state consolidation, while vast expanses posed challenges.
For example, Chile’s geography aided its economic stability.
What was the relationship between political clientelism and state capacity in 19th century Latin America?
Political clientelism undermined the development of a meritocratic civil service.
Patronage networks often superseded formal institutions.
What role did national identities play in the state-building process in 19th century Latin America?
Weak national identities undermined the state’s symbolic power and legitimacy.
Efforts to promote unity often failed.
What is the significance of infrastructural and symbolic power in state-building?
They are crucial for long-term stability and effectiveness in governance.
Successful state-building requires more than just territorial control.
What historical legacies shaped state capacity in Latin America during the 19th century?
Colonialism and concentrated land ownership contributed to persistent inequalities.
These legacies continue to affect state-building efforts.
What is the main argument regarding the relationship between factor endowments and economic success in Latin America?
Political institutions and state capacity are crucial determinants of economic development.
This challenges the traditional view that factor endowments alone dictate success.
What is the relationship between state intervention and economic growth according to the sources?
A strong and effective state is essential for promoting broad-based development.
State capacity should encompass multiple dimensions beyond coercive power.
What are the crucial determinants of economic development emphasized by the sources?
Political institutions, state capacity to establish order, enforce contracts, and provide public goods
These determinants highlight the role of the state in facilitating economic growth.
How do the sources view state intervention in economic growth?
As essential for promoting broad-based development, challenging the notion that it is inherently detrimental
A strong and effective state is necessary for fostering economic growth and social progress.
What dimensions of state capacity are highlighted beyond coercive power?
Infrastructural and symbolic power
Infrastructural power relates to the ability to provide public services, while symbolic power involves establishing legitimacy.
What historical legacies affect state formation in Latin America?
Colonial experience, extractive institutions, social hierarchies, and limited opportunities for local participation
These legacies create challenges in breaking free from path dependency.
What is the importance of a multifaceted approach to understanding Latin American economic history?
It considers geographic factors, institutional arrangements, political dynamics, and cultural influences
This approach recognizes the complexity of development challenges.
How did Latin American republics approach state building compared to the American and French Revolutions?
By adapting existing institutional models from successful countries rather than creating entirely new systems
This contrasts with the radical approaches of the American and French revolutions.
