Globalization has become the buzz word of our time, a term that describes a variety of changing economic, political, cultural, ideological, and environmental processes that are transforming our experience of the world. This course provides an accessible exploration of both the causes and effects of globalization in Latin America.
The macroeconomic recommendations in the „Washington Consensus‟ created an agenda for Latin America from a neo-liberal perspective in the 1990s. This agenda, whose implementation and impact was not equal across the region, was later revised. The position of the different actors involved, both domestic and international, will be analyzed, taking into consideration the main areas of the Consensus: macroeconomic stability, with a view to ending decades of high inflation, including fiscal adjustment to bring public expenditure in line with revenues; the redefinition of the role of the state, reducing its intervention in the productive sector of the economy and including extensive privatization of state enterprises and utilities; liberalization of trade in order to increase exports and participation in the world economy; removal of barriers on the free movement of capital flows and liberalization of domestic capital markets; deregulation.
The debate on 'what went wrong' with Latin America and globalization will be the focus, with special reference to the tenets of the Washington Consensus, its implementation and impact in the 1990s, and subsequent crisis. The debate on a 'post- Washington Consensus paradigm' will be analyzed.
This course aims to:
Ensure that students acquire knowledge and understanding of the region and its interaction with a globalized world;
Evaluate Latin America within an international context;
Examine at ideas and institutions of globalization from a Latin American perspective;
Analyze the economic, social and political relationships between Latin America and both developed and underdeveloped nations;
Understand regional similarities and diversities;
Allow students to study at least one Latin American country in depth.
Prerequisites:
None
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will:
Critically evaluate the consequences of globalization for Latin America in general and for specific countries in particular;
Compare and contrast a number of theoretical approaches in order to analyze the political and economic position of Latin America in relation to other regions, with specific reference to issues of poverty, inequality, and democracy;
Critically evaluate competing explanations relating to Latin America‟s interaction with a globalized world;
Critically evaluate inter- and intra-regional relations, as well as relations with international organizations;
Single out and analyze significant current topics of debate relating to the region;
Show critical awareness in the analysis of complex policy issues.
Method of presentation:
There will be an equivalent of two, hour and a half sessions per week. For each topic there will be one formal lecture and one seminar led by a group of students. Each group will prepare an oral presentation based on power point slides which will lead to a general debate.
the lecture sessions are designed to provide the framework for essential contextual and methodological analysis of the region;
seminars will emphasize contributions to the learning process by students;
students are encouraged to demonstrate that they understand the nature and significance of Latin
American politics, society and economic development;
students will be able to demonstrate an ability to evaluate and to apply different interpretations of Latin American political, social, and economic events and issues.
Required work and form of assessment:
Assessment Rationale
A mixture of oral and written presentations, both based on individual and group work has been chosen as the most appropriate method in order to test conceptual grasp and allow students to develop their own interests in the individual project. The assessment is designed to allow students to develop skills in:
gathering, organizing and deploying evidence, data and information from a variety of sources;
reading critically and summarizing theoretically and empirically-oriented materials;
identifying, investigating, analyzing and formulating solutions to problems at an advanced level;
delivering well-structured and clearly presented oral and written reports and presentations;
reflecting on their own learning and seeking and making use of constructive feedback;
managing their own learning self-critically.
Assessment Methods and Weightings
The 100% coursework assessment will be divided as follows:
Essay (35%): Students will write an essay on the impacts of globalization in a specific Latin American country, focusing on a particular topic (economic, political, cultural, technological, or environmental impacts).
Midterm and Final exam (40%): Students will have one in-class exam based on their weekly readings, lectures and discussions.
Seminar attendance (15%): Students must lead at least one seminar. Each seminar will be led by a group of students, where each student will make an oral presentation (10 minutes maximum). The aim of the seminar will be to analyze the controversy or debate about several aspects of globalization.
Class contribution and weekly work (10%): Class contribution includes active participation in class. All students will bring to class 5 paragraphs about one of the assigned readings. Questions, comments, and analyses undertaken by students in class will be also assessed. Students will also watch one film and prepare a report.
content:
Topic 1: Globalization - Meaning and History: Introduction to the course. Meaning and significance of the term „Globalization‟. Debate and controversy. Ideologies of Globalization. Globalization as a historical phenomenon. Stages of globalization and their characteristics.
Readings:
ECLAC, “Globalization: a historical and multidimensional perspective” (Chapter 1) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Scholte J.A., “What is Globalization? The Definitional Issue-Again”, CSGR Working Paper No. 109/02, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, December 2002.
Caselli M., “Some Reflections on Globalization, Development and the Less Developed Countries”, CSGR Working Paper No. 152/04, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, October 2004.
Higgott R., “Multilateralism and the Limits of Global Governance”, CSGR Working Paper No. 134/04, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, May 2004.
Harris R.L., “Introduction: Globalization and Globalism in Latin America: Contending Perspectives”, Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 29, No. 6, Globalization and Globalism in Latin America and the Caribbean, November 2002, (pp. 5-23).
Topic 2: Globalization – Measurement and Development: Indicators of Globalization and different ways of measuring this process. The development of Globalization. Economic and non-economic dimensions. The institutions of Globalization.
Readings:
A.T.Kearney, “Globalization Index, 2007”, Foreign Policy, A.T. Kearney, Inc. and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, November-December 2007.
KOF, “Index of Globalization, 2010”, Swiss Economic Institute, 2010.
ECLAC, “The Economic Dimensions of Globalization” (Chapter 2) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Dreher A., “Does Globalization affect Growth?”, University of Mannheim, manuscript, January 2003.
Das D.K., “Globalization. Oh that Versatile Villain!”, CSGR Working Paper No. 250/08, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, August 2008.
Das D.K., “Globalization: A Guide for the Concerned Policymaker”, CSGR Working Paper No. 91/02, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, January 2002.
Topic 3: Impacts of Globalization - Developing Countries: A view from Developing Countries. Opportunities and risks. Challenges for less developed countries.
Readings:
UNCTAD, Development and Globalization: Facts and Figures, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, New York, 2004.
Stallings B., “Globalization and Liberalization: A View from the Developing Countries”, ECLAC manuscript, 2000.
Yusuf S., “Globalization and the Challenge for Developing Countries”, World Bank DECRG, June 2001.
Zgurovsky A.M., “Risks and Gains of Globalization for Developing Countries”, Russian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 9, 2007.
Lancaster, C., “Developing Countries: Winners or Losers?” (Chapter 30), in Richard K., Frost E., et.al. (eds), Challenges of the Global Century, National Defense University Press, Washington, 2001.
Schmukler S.L., “Financial Globalization: Gain and Pain for Developing Countries”, Economic Review, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Second Quarter, 2004.
Film: Life and Debt, Director: Stephanie Black, 2001.
Topic 4: Impacts of Globalization – Poverty and Inequality: Inequalities and asymmetries in the global order. Winners and losers in the globalization process. Effects in terms of poverty reduction and equality improvement.
Readings:
ECLAC, “Inequalities and Asymmetries in the Global Order” (Chapter 3) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Bardhan P., “Globalization, Inequality and Poverty”, paper presented at the Trade and Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean Workshop, Inter-American Development Bank, organized by the Integration and Regional Programs Department in coordination with the Sustainable Development Department and the UK Department for International Development (DFID), June 2006.
Sala-i-Martin X., The World Distribution of Income: Falling Poverty and… Convergence, Period, Columbia University, manuscript, 2005.
Wade R., “Is Globalization Reducing Poverty and Inequality?”, World Development, 32 (4), 2004 (pp. 567-589)
Goldberg P.K. and Pavcnik N., Distributional Effects of Globalization in Developing Countries, manuscript, National Bureau of Economic Research, 2006.
Topic 5: Latin American Economic Development – History and Globalization: Economic development of Latin America from a historical perspective. Development strategies and globalization stages.
Readings:
Cardoso E. and Helwege A., Latin America’s Economy. Diversity, Trends and Conflicts, MIT Press, 1995. Chapters 2, 4 and 5.
Cortes Conde R., “Export-Led Growth in Latin America: 1870-1930” Journal of Latin American Studies, Vol. 24, Quincentenary Supplement: The Colonial and Post Colonial Experience. Five Centuries of Spanish and Portuguese America, 1992 (pp. 163-179).
Braga, “Import Substitution Industrialization in Latin America. Experience and Lessons for the Future”, paper prepared for a seminar in honor of Professor Werner Baer, held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, December 1-2, 2006.
Topic 6: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – External vulnerability and macroeconomic policy: Macroeconomic performance of Latin America in the last decades. Volatile capital movements and external vulnerability. Guest speaker: Camilo Tiscornia, Director of C&T Economic Consultancy.
Readings:
ECLAC, "Macroeconomic Policy and External Vulnerability” (Chapter 5) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Stiglitz J., “Capital Market Liberalization, Economic Growth and Instability”, World Development Vol. 28, No. 6, 2000 (pp. 1075-1086).
Stiglitz J., “Globalization and Growth in Emerging Markets and the New Economy”, Journal of Policy Modeling 25, 2003 (pp. 505–524).
Edwards S., “Macroeconomic Instability and Contagion in Latin America”, Working Paper Nº 13/2004, Real Instituto Elcano de Estudios Internacionales y Estratégicos, 2004.
Edwards S., “Financial Instability in Latin America” Journal of International Money and Finance 22, 2003 (pp. 1095–1106).
Singh A., “Macroeconomic Volatility. Policy lessons from Latin America”, IMF Working Paper 06/166, International Monetary Fund, 2006.
Topic 7: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – International trade: Rapid internationalization of markets and production. Changes in production and trade incentives. Patterns of integration in the global economy. Role played by regional and subregional arrangements. Guest speaker: Ignacio Dos Reis, General Manager of Química Oeste.
Readings:
ECLAC, “The integration of Latin America in global trade and production circuits” (Chapter 6) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Agosin M.R., “Trade and Growth: Why Asia Grows Faster than Latin America”, Inter-American Development Bank, Economic and Sector Study Series, February 2006.
Das D.K., “Trade and Global Integration”, CSGR Working Paper No. 120/03, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, June 2003.
Das D.K., “Development, Developing Economies and the Doha Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations”, CSGR Working Paper 207/06, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, May 2006.
MacLeod A., “Globalisation, Regionalisation and the Americas”, CSGR Working Paper Series No 177/05, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, October 2005.
Topic 8: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – Social development: Region‟s persistent social deficits, particularly in education, employment and social protection. New challenges stemming mainly from technological change and the volatility of labour market conditions. Education, employment and social protection as pillars of a proactive social policy. Guest speaker: Ruben Cortina, Secretary of International Relations, Federación Argentina de Empleados de Comercio y Servicios FAECYS.
Readings:
ECLAC, “Globalization and Social Development” (Chapter 10) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Bourguignon F., “Which Social Protection for Latin American Countries”, paper presented at the conference Social and Economic Impacts of Liberalization and Globalization: effects on labour markets and income distribution, University of Toronto, April 19-20 2002.
Altimir O., “Distributive Tensions under the New Economic Order”, paper presented at the conference Social and Economic Impacts of Liberalization and Globalization: effects on labour markets and income distribution, University of Toronto, April 19-20 2002.
Alarcón D. and Zepeda E., “Social Impact of a Period of Reform in Latin America”, paper presented at the conference Social and Economic Impacts of Liberalization and Globalization: effects on labour markets and income distribution, University of Toronto, April 19-20 2002.
Teichman J., “Political Challenges to Equitable Development in Latin America”, paper presented at the conference Social and Economic Impacts of Liberalization and Globalization: effects on labour markets and income distribution, University of Toronto, April 19-20 2002.
Topic 9: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – Technological development: Creation of technological capabilities at the national level. Productivity gap vis-à-vis the more highly developed countries. Development of the capacity to adopt and disseminate new technological paradigms such as information technology, biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Readings:
ECLAC, “Strengthening innovation systems and technological development” (Chapter 7) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Archibugi D. and Pietrobelli C., “The Globalisation of Technology and its Implications for Developing Countries”, Technological Forecasting & Social Change 70, 2003 (pp. 861–883).
Braga C.A. et.al., “Globalization and Technology: You Can´t Put the Genie Back in the Bottle Again”, paper was prepared for the Globalization Seminar organized by UN-ECLAC/the World Bank in Santiago, Chile, March 6-8 2002.
Narula R. and Zanfei A., “Globalisation of Innovation: The Role of Multinational Enterprises”, DRUID Working Paper No 03-15, Danish Research Unit for Industrial Dynamics, November 2003.
Petras J., “The Myth of the Third Scientific-Technological Revolution in the Era of Neo-Mercantilist Empires”, Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 29, No. 6, Globalization and Globalism in Latin America and the Caribbean, November 2002 (pp. 44-58).
Topic 10: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – Environment and sustainable development: Relationship between globalization and environmental sustainability. Environmental effects of global nature (“global public bads”). Environmental interdependence and vulnerability among countries. Global warming. Guest speaker: Expert from a NGO related to sustainable development,
Readings:
ECLAC, “Globalization and environmental sustainability” (Chapter 9) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Najam A., Runnalls D. and Halle M, “Environment and Globalization. Five Propositions”, work prepared for the Environment and Governance Project of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Government of Denmark, 2007.
Dauvergne P., “Globalization and the Environment”, in John Ravenhill, ed., Global Political Economy, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005 (pp. 366-389).
Elliot, “Global Environmental (In)Equity and the Cosmopolitan Project”, CSGR Working Paper No. 95/02, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, April 2002.
Newell, “Civil Society Participation in Latin America: The Case of the Environmental Movement”, CSGR Working Paper No. 201/06, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, April 2006.
Topic 11: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – International migration: Severe barriers to the mobility of persons. Limited nature of the present degree of globalization of migration. Incompatibility between the restrictive approaches adopted and a world which is advancing towards growing liberalization of other flows.
Readings:
ECLAC, “International Migration and Globalization” (Chapter 8) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Skeldon R., “Globalization, Skilled Migration and Poverty Alleviation: Brain Drains in Context”, Working Paper T15, Development Research Centre on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty, November 2005.
Cohen R., “The Free Movement of Money and People: Debates before and after 9/11”, CSGR Working Paper No. 160/05, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation, May 2005.
Orozco M., “Globalization and Migration: The Impact of Family Remittances in Latin America”, Latin American Politics and Society, Vol. 44, No. 2, Summer 2002 (pp. 41–66).
ECLAC, “International Migration, Human Rights and Development in Latin America”. LC/G.2303(SES.31/11), Thirty-first Session of ECLAC Montevideo, Uruguay, March 20-24 2006.
Topic 12: Globalization and Latin America – An agenda for a global era: How Latin America can benefit from this era of globalization. Necessary progress in the area of global institutions.
Readings:
ECLAC, Social Panorama of Latin America, 2009.
ECLAC, Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2009.
ECLAC, Structural Change and Productivity Growth. 20 years later. Old problems, New opportunities, 2008.
ECLAC, “An Agenda for a Global Era” (Chapter 4) in Globalization and Development, Economic Commission for Latin America, Brasilia, May 2002.
Recommended readings:
General
Manfred B. Steger, Globalization: A Very Short Introduction, 2009.
Joseph E. Stiglitz, Globalization and Its Discontents, 2003.
Joseph E. Stiglitz, Making Globalization, 2007.
Donald J. Boudreaux, Globalization, Greenwood Guides to Business and Economics, 2007.
Jagdish N. Bhagwati, In Defense of Globalization: With a New Afterword, 2007.
Frank J. Lechner and John Boli, The Globalization Reader, 2007.
Jurgen Osterhammel, Niels P. Petersson, and Dona Geyer, Globalization: A Short History, 2009.
David Held, and Anthony McGrew, Globalization/Anti-Globalization Beyond the Great Divide, 2007.
Latin America
William I. Robinson, Latin America and Global Capitalism: A Critical Globalization Perspective, Johns Hopkins Studies in Globalization, 2008.
Alex Segura-Ubiergo, The Political Economy of the Welfare State in Latin America: Globalization, Democracy, and Development, 2007.
Robert N. Gwynne and Cristóbal Kay, Latin America Transformed: Globalization and Modernity, Arnold Publication, 2004.
Machiko Nissanke and Erik Thorbecke, The Poor under Globalization in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, Wider Studies in Development Economics, 2010.
Diane E. Johnson and Fernando Lopez-Alves, Globalization and Uncertainty in Latin America, 2007.
Richard A. Dello Buono and Ximena de la Barra, Latin America after the Neoliberal Debacle: Another Region is Possible, 2009.
Richard L. Harris, Globalization and Development In Latin America, International Studies in Social Science, 2005.
Brief Biography of Instructor:
Gabriel Molteni holds a BA in Economics from Universidad Católica Argentina, a MPhil in Economics and Development from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), and a MPhil (Phd cand) in Economic History from the London School of Economics and Political Science (United Kingdom). Chief Economist of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce. Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO) of the World Bank for Argentina. Consultant of international organizations in the area of evaluation of social projects (Inter- American Development Bank, World Bank, Transparency International, UNIFEM, among others).
Globalization has become the buzz word of our time, a term that describes a variety of changing economic, political, cultural, ideological, and environmental processes that are transforming our experience of the world. This course provides an accessible exploration of both the causes and effects of globalization in Latin America.
The macroeconomic recommendations in the „Washington Consensus‟ created an agenda for Latin America from a neo-liberal perspective in the 1990s. This agenda, whose implementation and impact was not equal across the region, was later revised. The position of the different actors involved, both domestic and international, will be analyzed, taking into consideration the main areas of the Consensus: macroeconomic stability, with a view to ending decades of high inflation, including fiscal adjustment to bring public expenditure in line with revenues; the redefinition of the role of the state, reducing its intervention in the productive sector of the economy and including extensive privatization of state enterprises and utilities; liberalization of trade in order to increase exports and participation in the world economy; removal of barriers on the free movement of capital flows and liberalization of domestic capital markets; deregulation.
The debate on 'what went wrong' with Latin America and globalization will be the focus, with special reference to the tenets of the Washington Consensus, its implementation and impact in the 1990s, and subsequent crisis. The debate on a 'post- Washington Consensus paradigm' will be analyzed.
This course aims to:
None
By the end of the course, students will:
There will be an equivalent of two, hour and a half sessions per week. For each topic there will be one formal lecture and one seminar led by a group of students. Each group will prepare an oral presentation based on power point slides which will lead to a general debate.
Assessment Rationale
A mixture of oral and written presentations, both based on individual and group work has been chosen as the most appropriate method in order to test conceptual grasp and allow students to develop their own interests in the individual project. The assessment is designed to allow students to develop skills in:
Assessment Methods and Weightings
The 100% coursework assessment will be divided as follows:
Topic 1: Globalization - Meaning and History: Introduction to the course. Meaning and significance of the term „Globalization‟. Debate and controversy. Ideologies of Globalization. Globalization as a historical phenomenon. Stages of globalization and their characteristics.
Readings:
Topic 2: Globalization – Measurement and Development: Indicators of Globalization and different ways of measuring this process. The development of Globalization. Economic and non-economic dimensions. The institutions of Globalization.
Readings:
Topic 3: Impacts of Globalization - Developing Countries: A view from Developing Countries. Opportunities and risks. Challenges for less developed countries.
Readings:
Film: Life and Debt, Director: Stephanie Black, 2001.
Topic 4: Impacts of Globalization – Poverty and Inequality: Inequalities and asymmetries in the global order. Winners and losers in the globalization process. Effects in terms of poverty reduction and equality improvement.
Readings:
Topic 5: Latin American Economic Development – History and Globalization: Economic development of Latin America from a historical perspective. Development strategies and globalization stages.
Readings:
Topic 6: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – External vulnerability and macroeconomic policy: Macroeconomic performance of Latin America in the last decades. Volatile capital movements and external vulnerability. Guest speaker: Camilo Tiscornia, Director of C&T Economic Consultancy.
Readings:
Topic 7: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – International trade: Rapid internationalization of markets and production. Changes in production and trade incentives. Patterns of integration in the global economy. Role played by regional and subregional arrangements. Guest speaker: Ignacio Dos Reis, General Manager of Química Oeste.
Readings:
Topic 8: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – Social development: Region‟s persistent social deficits, particularly in education, employment and social protection. New challenges stemming mainly from technological change and the volatility of labour market conditions. Education, employment and social protection as pillars of a proactive social policy. Guest speaker: Ruben Cortina, Secretary of International Relations, Federación Argentina de Empleados de Comercio y Servicios FAECYS.
Readings:
Topic 9: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – Technological development: Creation of technological capabilities at the national level. Productivity gap vis-à-vis the more highly developed countries. Development of the capacity to adopt and disseminate new technological paradigms such as information technology, biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Readings:
Topic 10: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – Environment and sustainable development: Relationship between globalization and environmental sustainability. Environmental effects of global nature (“global public bads”). Environmental interdependence and vulnerability among countries. Global warming. Guest speaker: Expert from a NGO related to sustainable development,
Readings:
Topic 11: Impact of Globalization in Latin America – International migration: Severe barriers to the mobility of persons. Limited nature of the present degree of globalization of migration. Incompatibility between the restrictive approaches adopted and a world which is advancing towards growing liberalization of other flows.
Readings:
Topic 12: Globalization and Latin America – An agenda for a global era: How Latin America can benefit from this era of globalization. Necessary progress in the area of global institutions.
Readings:
General
Latin America
Gabriel Molteni holds a BA in Economics from Universidad Católica Argentina, a MPhil in Economics and Development from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), and a MPhil (Phd cand) in Economic History from the London School of Economics and Political Science (United Kingdom). Chief Economist of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce. Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO) of the World Bank for Argentina. Consultant of international organizations in the area of evaluation of social projects (Inter- American Development Bank, World Bank, Transparency International, UNIFEM, among others).