The nature of Argentina's policy reforms during 1976-1981

Nogues, Julio (1986): The nature of Argentina's policy reforms during 1976-1981. Published in: Staff Working Paper 765

Abstract

Much of the existing literature on Argentina has emphasized the liberal nature of the economic reforms introduced during the 1976-1981 military government. A major purpose of this paper is to present evidence that contradlcts this interpretation. In particular, I emphasize the implementation of pervasive government controls that severely distorted relative prices. Exchange rate and wage distortions increased social tensions, but given the represive nature of the government, social demands were simply ignored. A second conclusion is that the long-rnn economic interests of the militars, were protectionist as the powerful but inneficient military industrial complex required protection and therefore through taylor made quantitative controls, remained sheltered from the trade liberalization program of those days.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Trade regime, military-industrial complex, price distortions
• Subjects: E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics > E6 - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook > E65 - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes; F - International Economics > F1 - Trade > F14 - Empirical Studies of Trade

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