Latin America’s First Export Era: Reassessing Its Economic Contribution

Abstract

This initial chapter offers the general framework for the collective research project whose results are presented in this volume. It summarizes central proposals from conventional and current interpretations of Latin America during the first export era that have moved us to undertake this endeavor. Then, it describes the set of parameters that contributors employ in order to assess the economic contribution of exports in the seven study cases that conform this volume. They include descriptive indicators (nominal and real value series, terms of trade) and a set of analytical parameters on exports, like their direct contribution to economic growth, their purchasing power and return value, positive externalities, linkages with industrial and other activities, and energy transition.