External Constraints on Development in Latin America: Theory and Practice

Abstract

In this article, we examine several of the more important aspects of the external constraint, both in terms of history of thought and in economic reality. As we argue, the various branches of Latin American structuralism share several key elements, perhaps the most important being the center-periphery relationship. Part of this relationship is the external constraint, which has been interpreted differently by diverse authors. We also briefly offer our own interpretation of the phenomenon and how it has manifested itself in recent Latin American history.