Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP5932
Authors: Robert H. Bates; John H. Coatsworth; Jeffrey G. Williamson
Abstract: Africa and Latin America secured their independence from European colonial rule a century and half apart: most of Latin America after 1820 and most of Africa after 1960. Despite the distance in time and space, they share important similarities. In each case independence was followed by political instability, violent conflict and economic stagnation lasting for about a half-century (lost decades). The parallels suggest that Africa might be exiting from a period of post-imperial collapse and entering a period of relative political stability and economic growth, as did Latin America a century and a half earlier.
Keywords: Africa; Development; Economic History; Latin America; Lost Decades
JEL Codes: N0; O10; O54; O55
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Conditions established during the era of imperial rule (F54) | Political instability in Latin America and Africa (O17) |
| Political instability in Latin America and Africa (O17) | Economic stagnation (N14) |
| Political instability and violent conflict (O17) | Economic stagnation in Latin America and Africa (O54) |
| Political instability in both regions (P39) | Unfavorable outcomes (I12) |
| Violent conflict in both regions (D74) | Unfavorable outcomes (I12) |
| Recovery in Latin America (O54) | Possible recovery in Africa (O55) |
| Historical trajectories of Latin America and Africa (N96) | Lessons for future stability and growth in Africa (O55) |