From Publishers Weekly

Throughout the 20th century, a tug-of-war of political and economic policies was waged in Latin America, with revolutionary Marxists on one side and neo-liberal reformers on the other. But now, in the early 21st century, pragmatism rules the day, or so argues Santiso, the chief development economist at the OECD Development Centre. Through his cogent analysis of political and economic trends in the region over the last century, Santiso suggests that leaders have discarded utopianism, moving their focus from the future to the present. This shift has allowed policy and planning to focus on the real needs of the various countries, and has engendered solutions that mix a number of formerly exclusive ideologies. In his chapters on Chile, Mexico and Brazil, Santiso argues that Latin American leaders no longer believe in a region-wide panacea. Though his case for economic steadiness is strong, Santiso disregards the great economic inequalities in Latin America, and he ignores how recent policies are affecting the poor. This book is a refreshing look at Latin America and will be encouraging to those who fear those countries are turning too for to the left, or for anyone who wishes to see how the land of magical realism has become quite pragmatic. (Apr.)
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"This book is a refreshing look at Latin America and will be encouraging to those who fear those countries are turning too for to the left, or for anyone who wishes to see how the land of magical realism has become quite pragmatic."
— Publishers Weekly

"A beautiful and elegant book. A well-argued and convincing thesis: that after centuries of dream chasing, pragmatism has come to Latin America. One passionately hopes that it will not go away."
—Olivier Blanchard, Professor of Economics, MIT

"Reading this book is a delight. One of the best works in a long time about the economic and political impulses that are penetrating Latin America today."
—Albert O. Hirschman, Princeton University

"This magnificent book, written in a style often reminiscent of such great Latin American novelists as García Márquez and Vargas Llosa, captures the essence of Latin America's transformation today. Delightful and necessary reading for all those who care for the people of this great region and follow its development."
—Charles Oman, Senior Economist, OECD Development Centre, Paris

"Here Javier Santiso offers us an original and passionate view of the historic moment that Latin America is actually living through right now. It is required reading for all those who are interested in the region's development."
—Ricardo Hausmann, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

"A brilliant analysis—clear, concise, and a must for all those interested in Latin America."
—Jacques de Larosière, former Managing Director, International Monetary Fund