Lost Decades: Postindependence Performance In Latin America and Africa (Coatsworth) Flashcards
What are the ‘lost decades’ in the context of Latin America and Africa?
‘Lost decades’ refer to about fifty years of political instability and economic stagnation following independence in both regions.
What common conditions contributed to the failures in both Latin America and Africa after independence?
- Political instability
- Violent conflict
- Economic balkanization
- Antitrade policies
What exogenous events contributed to the collapse of imperial rule in Latin America and Africa?
- Napoleonic Wars for Latin America
- World War II for Africa
How did postcolonial violence manifest in both regions?
Violence increased due to internal conflicts and external interventions, exacerbating political instability.
What was the economic performance in both regions during their respective lost decades?
Economic performance was abysmal, with low GDP per capita growth compared to the industrializing core.
What policies hindered economic growth in Latin America and Africa during the lost decades?
- Antitrade policies
- Protectionist measures
What was the GDP per capita growth rate for Latin America between 1820 and 1870?
0.07% per annum
What was the average per capita GDP growth rate for Africa between 1950 and 1992?
0.89% per annum
What role did postcolonial violence play in Latin America’s shift towards liberalism?
Postcolonial violence undermined burdensome colonial institutions, facilitating a drift towards liberalism.
What factors led to the eventual recovery of Latin America after the 1860s?
- Political stability
- Economic growth
- Liberal reforms
What signs indicate that Africa might be entering a period of recovery similar to Latin America?
- Democratisation
- Liberal economic policies
- Increased demand for exports
What are potential social costs of Africa’s recovery similar to Latin America’s experience?
Increased inequality
What distinction exists in the political landscape between Africa and Latin America regarding the indigenous population?
Africa has a larger indigenous population and unrestricted franchise, potentially affecting its development trajectory.
True or False: Latin America and Africa experienced similar post-independence challenges.
True
Fill in the blank: The collapse of imperial rule in Latin America was driven by _______.
[Napoleonic Wars]
Fill in the blank: Economic decline in Africa undermined _______ policies, leading to liberalisation.
[state-centered]
What was the average Latin American tariff rate in 1870?
About 24%
What was the average African tariff rate between 1971 and 1999?
Almost 15%
What were the long-term consequences of the ‘lost decades’ in Latin America?
Undermined colonial institutions and led to a drift towards liberalism.
What effect did the Cold War have on political instability in Africa?
It exacerbated conflicts by involving external powers supporting opposing sides.
What type of economic policies did African governments increasingly adopt in the 1990s?
More liberal economic policies
What was the significance of the political changes in Africa during the 1990s?
Shift from no-party and single-party systems to competitive party systems with universal adult suffrage.
How did the nature of European imperial rule affect post-independence trajectories in Latin America and Africa?
It provided some economic integration but did not create a social base for growth.
What are the ‘lost decades’?
Periods of political instability, violent conflict, and economic stagnation following independence in Latin America (1820s-1870s) and Africa (1960s-2000s)
Characterized by similar trajectories of turmoil and underperformance.
