Recovery or Relapse in the Global Economy : Comparative Perspectives on Restructuring in Central America

Although political developments in Central America over the last decade have been profound, the region continues to exhibit sluggish economic growth in some countries and complete stagnation in others. To alleviate these economic problems, demands for authoritarian regimes and imposed solutions are likely--according to the authors of this work. Examined are: 1) the role of the State in economic revitalization and growth in Central America; 2) the impact of structural adjustment policies on the agricultural sector; 3) the prospects for expansion of the cooperative sector in the current political climate; 4) the persistence of external debt, its impact on domestic policy, and possible approaches to alleviating the debt burden; 5) the role of multinational corporations and foreign direct investment in economic restructuring; and 6) the prospects for regional economic and political integration.