Understanding market reforms in Latin America : similar reforms, diverse constituencies, varied results /

This edited volume consists of a general introduction followed by seven case-study chapters on South American countries and Mexico. The introductory chapter offers an excellent summary of the issues and links the case studies to a larger project on the analysis of economic reforms worldwide, making this volume "highly complementary to the other volumes containing the results of the project" (Understanding Market Reforms, volumes 1 and 2, ed. by Jose Fanelli and Gary McMahon, 2005-06). In addition to Mexico, chapters examine market reforms in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, countries that make up three-fourths of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean and account for more than 85 percent of its gross domestic product. The volume analyzes the causes of reforms and their success or failure, and it is highly sensitive to the context of the reforms, the ability of countries to institutionalize their reforms, and the play of political economy forces. This serious contribution to the literature on economic policy reform will be useful to both Latin Americanists and a variety of other scholars interested in the sustainability of economic policy reforms. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate, research, and professional collections. J. Gerber San Diego State University