ABSTRACT
Public spending on the military consumed a large part of Latin American budgets during this time, reflecting the historic importance of the military in the overall power balance in most nations of the region. Between 1945 and 1954, public expenditures grew across Latin America in tandem with economic growth after the war, as manufacturers tried to keep pace with pent-up postwar demand. The Cuban Revolution of 1959—which placed a new emphasis on public expenditures, health, and education for the people of Cuba—represented a new stage in the region’s commitment to public spending. Public expenditures for health and education faltered in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as Latin American economies began to experience balance-of-payment difficulties. Latin American societies today are still seeking a more balanced equation between social and military spending; frequent protests, marches, and work stoppages by teachers and health professionals demonstrate the ongoing, daily struggle to balance investment in health and human capital versus investment in defense.
