The impact of ECLAC's work can be measured through the global influence of its economic theories on Latin American development. Many of the theories have challenged existing economic approaches and have given new tools to Latin American policy-makers. .
In the immediate aftermath of World War II, ECLAC, then under the leadership of economist Raul Prebisch, published an analysis of the economic development of Latin America. The analysis attempted to explain the causes of underdevelopment within the framework of a comparative analysis between industrialized and developing nations. Prebisch introduced the structuralist economic theory, which focused on the understanding of the world economy in terms of a "center-periphery- structure. Industrialized nations formed the center and developing states the periphery. The theory proposed that underdevelopment was the direct consequence of unequal trading relations. Specifically, industrialized nations were selling increasingly expensive manufactured goods to the periphery in return for raw materials at increasingly unfavorable terms of trade for underdeveloped countries. The disadvantageous terms of trade for the periphery created a form of imperialism and, to some extent, a dependence on industrialized markets. According to Prebisch, the only way out of dependency was through industrialization and sustained growth of the peripheral economies. .
The theory of structural economic dependency gained increasing favor as the basis for Latin American economic policies. Economic exploitation and political manipulation by rich countries presented a good explanation for the underdeveloped condition of many Latin American countries. The assumption was that Latin America was not responsible for its underdevelopment since industrialized nations controlled world trade relations. .
While dependency theory highlights some truths - e.g., the consequences, particularly for small countries, of world price fluctuations for un-diversified economies, the export of recession from the rich countries to the poor countries - it implies that Latin America is impotent and that the course of its history determined by outside forces.
Social Development Officer in the Caribbean Office of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Sonia Cuales, argues that although some international economic strategies have produced notable statistical results, there has been little reduction of some persistent problems. ...
Immigration is one of the most controversial issues that arise every time we approach an election. Despite being quite broad in nature, many potential candidates attempt to address the aspects that are relevant to their campaign; usually centering around how it is either hurting or helping the economy as a whole and how we must strengthen our borders. There is little focus, however, on topics such as the exploitation of illegal immigrant workers or how the undocumented work force might actually be helping our economy grow. To this end, I decided to explore some of the larger ethical issues a...
The most significant development in international relations since the end of World War II has been the rise of a new political entity known as the Third World. The term Third World is a historical construct which create the notion of countries that are relatively poor, underdeveloped, racially minor, and thus politically non-influential. The identity and role of the Third World is shaped by the historical experience of colonialism, the involvement in ideological and political conflicts among major powers, and is more and more reinforced, rather than ameliorated through their tottering particip...
