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  5. Technocracy, Economists, and Foreign Advisors in Latin America
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Technocracy, Economists, and Foreign Advisors in Latin America

Paper Session

Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM (CST)

Grand Hyatt, Mission B
Hosted By: History of Economics Society
  • Chair: Juan Pablo Couyoumdjian, University for Development

A Mere Guest? The Slow Process of Women's Participation in Top Decision-Making Positions (1950-2000) in Colombia

Marta-Juanita Villaveces
,
National University of Colombia
Ricardo Salas
,
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Pilar Torres
,
Chamber of Commerce-Bogota

Abstract

Until the second half of the 20th century, women were notably absent from top economic
positions in the Colombian public sector. In this chapter, we examine the evolution of this
representation, the experiences of women who reached decision-making roles and
academia, and the discussions they led. We have identified 57 women and found that
their path to top positions involved three interconnected elements: education, merit-
based achievements, and privileged connections. The academic contributions of 15
women have paved the way for new topics in economics discourse. To analyze this trend,
we divided the 50-year period into three stages. From 1950 to 1974, progress was slow
due to political and educational constraints. From 1974 to 1989, there was a fleeting
increase in women's appointments. Finally, in the stage that followed from 1989 onwards,
women were present in every cabinet but still faced limited participation. The number of
women in high-level government executive positions grew from 2 in the first period to 20
by the end of the century.

Richard Musgrave in Colombia: The Art of Tax Reform in a Developing Country

Maxime Desmarais-Tremblay
,
University of London

Abstract

Richard Musgrave’s work in developing countries has received little historical scrutiny. At the twilight of the development decade, Musgrave chaired an important fiscal reform mission in Colombia, whose report later served as a roadmap for the 1974 Colombian tax reform. Drawing from archival and published sources, this paper reconstructs the intellectual baggage that Musgrave brought on his travels to Colombia. While tax principles have been invoked by reformers for centuries, Musgrave and his colleagues provided a new articulation of equity that reflected their liberal faith in the capacity of democratic governments to improve welfare through fair taxation. This liberal worldview was shaped by their experience of US policy since the New Deal, but the instruments adapted for developing countries differed.

Foreign Advisors, Upper-Tail Human Capital and State Capacity: Lessons from Chile

Juan Pablo Couyoumdjian
,
University for Development
Cristián Larroulet
,
University for Development

Abstract

Foreign assistance programs can be important for developing countries in terms of the
transfer of capital, or specialized knowledge offered by experts, and through human
capital formation. In this paper, we focus on the role of foreign experts in the creation of
“upper-tail human capital”. We do this in the context of a study of the history of Chile:
through the work in the country of the French professor Jean Gustave Courcelle-Seneuil
(1855-1863), the work of the Mission of Financial Advisors chaired by Professor Edwin
Walter Kemmerer (1925), the work of the Klein & Saks Economic and Financial Mission
(1955-1958), and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile-USAID-University of Chicago
agreement (1956-1964). Even controlling for the differences in the objectives these
foreign advisory programs had, they differ significantly in terms of how their work was
organized in the country, specifically, in the networks they formed within the country.
Foreign assistance programs can be important in the formation of local human capital
which, in turn, can have a key role in terms of the construction of state capacity.

Colombia's Economic Mindset: Exploring the Pragmatic and Eclectic History of Economic Thought in Colombia

Andrés Álvarez
,
University of the Andes
Jimena Hurtado
,
University of the Andes

Abstract

To delve into the history of economic thought in Colombia, we require an innovative
approach that examines the interplay between ideas and policies. The key figures involved
possessed a deep understanding of economic theory and methods, and they maintained
direct connections with renowned economic theory centers in Europe and the U.S. They
actively engaged in international and regional economics networks. However, their
contribution extended beyond mere idea importation; they adeptly transformed and
applied these concepts, fostering an environment conducive to the development and
implementation of diverse economic policies. Consequently, Colombian economic thought
diverged and evolved, offering a unique perspective on the role of economics in
addressing practical concerns. Its classification defies traditional typologies of economic
schools and requires an understanding of the political, social, and cultural context that
demands tailored solutions for pressing social needs.
JEL Classifications
  • O2 - Development Planning and Policy
  • B2 - History of Economic Thought since 1925