Editorial: A Focus on Policy Issues in Key Areas

Abstract

Our fourth issue of Latin American Policy (LAP) contains important research articles focusing on fiscal, security, legislative, mass media, environmental, border, and energy policies. The articles all reflect the amazing policy challenges witnessed by key Latin American countries in these areas. Articles by Omar Sanchez and Salvador Espinosa look at fiscal policies and the institutional constraints to improving their efficiency and transparency. Sanchez's article offers a qualitative, historical analysis on fiscal reforms that took place in Argentina during the 1990s, whereas Espinosa's study proposes a mathematical model for explaining the asymmetric effect of revenue-sharing transfers on spending by state governments in Mexico. The two papers shed light on the challenges to be overcome or considered if more efficient fiscal policies are to be implemented in Latin America. Two articles in this issue focus on the analysis of security policies in the region. Figueroa and Hagadorn's article provides geopolitical insight into how Puerto Rico could become a major partner in strengthening U.S.-led policies against drug trafficking, and Bronk and González-Aréchiga's study proposes a list of institutional changes to be accomplished to improve safety and security at the Mexico–U.S. border. These are two major contributions in the security arena, which has become a contentious topic in Latin America in general. Valeria Valle's research examines current energy policies and encourages the production of biofuels in Mexico and the United States. Her work explores the economic, social, political, and environmental implications of producing these types of fuels in the two countries. Eugenia Ibarrarán and her colleagues explore the economic, social, and environmental implications of implementing a package of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions according to current commitments undertaken by the Mexican government. They present a mathematical model exploring the effect of policy through 2050 and conclude that the Mexican government must be careful regarding voluntary commitments acquired in the international context, given their economic and political costs. Gabriela Palavicini's contribution explores the effect of mass media in shaping current Mexican society, and Brenda García's article assesses the role that Mexican legislative institutions play in the politics of fiscal policy making in Mexico. This issue also includes two essays in the Perspectives section, the first one written by Felipe Ohana that focuses on the past Brazilian elections and the second written by Murillo de Aragão and Cristiano Noronha that surveys the partisan support during the first six months of Dilma Rousseff's presidency in Brazil. Two book reviews are also included, the first by Marianne Marchand, and the second by Itzel Barrera. We appreciate the effort and endurance of all contributors in finalizing their respective articles, essays, and reviews and thank them for being patient about the procedures involved in ensuring a high-quality final product, of which all of LAP's staff is proud.