ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces modern Latin America economic history. First it separates the countries in the region into subgroups based on economic trajectories. Between independence and 1930, countries’ types of labor system and chief export products featured in the division, while after 1930, the size of the economy featured more prominently. Next, an overview of a growth- versus development-focused approach to economic history highlights why a development focus that centers quality of life and standards of living is necessary. In Latin America, growth has often occurred without development, leading to persistent inequality. The types of products the region produces are more susceptible to global price fluctuations, making the region prone to economic volatility. These fluctuations greatly impact quotidian experiences and everyday decisions. A discussion of the book's design follows. Five temporal and chapter divisions derive from events that shifted the economic trajectory of the region (Independence–1870; 1870–1930; 1930–1980; 1980–2008; 2008–2023). Within each chapter, two to four events are further used to understand the region's changing trajectory and to make explicit connections between large-scale economic forces and social, cultural, and political events. A short bibliographic discussion concludes.
