Andres Oppenheimer
In sharp contrast to the gloom surrounding U.S. and European economic news, a new
Predictably, the press release from the
But are the U.N. figures about
Between 1990 and 2010, poverty in
More recently, between 2009 and 2010, the biggest drops in poverty took place in
Asked whether
The decline in poverty over the past two decades "is great news for
But doesn't your report paint an incomplete picture, by failing to point out that the region's poverty reduction was marginal compared to that of Asian countries that were much poorer than
In fact, ECLAC's own estimates show that in 1990,
Since that year,
"It's true, and it's very telling," Bárcena told me, referring to
My opinion: I don't want to be a party-pooper, but I found the headlines about
There are three big reasons why Asian countries have reduced poverty so much faster than
Most Asian countries have stimulated a culture of quality education, emphasizing academic rigor, and the internationalization of their universities that is allowing them to produce increasingly sophisticated goods that produce more and better jobs. At the same time, most Latin American countries have focused on expanding school coverage with little concern about academic excellence.
I'm optimistic about
But I'm afraid that looking at its recent gains in the fight against poverty without putting them in a world context -- and not embarking on the quest for improving education standards -- will lead to more complacency, which is the biggest enemy of competiveness and progress.
- Democratic Speed Bumps in Latin America
- Argentina: Lessons of Default
- Latin America is Beating Poverty -- Sort Of
- Brazil and Colombia: An Unexpected Alliance
- China and the End of the Monroe Doctrine
- Major Economies Headed for Slowdown
- Is the National Security Complex Too Big to Fail?
- A Call for an Enlightened Foreign Policy toward Latin America
- The Inequality Behind Chile's Prosperity
- The Mexican Drug Cartel Threat in Central America
- FARC Leader Killed in Colombia
- Helping Cuban Reforms through Agricultural Trade
- A 'Major Win' for Panamanian Corruption
- Mexico Seeks to Extradite Americans Linked to 'Operation Fast And Furious'
- Latin American Politicians Renew Suggestions to Legalize Drugs
- Never-Ending Drug War Moves to Central America
- Venezuela Among World Leaders in Red Tape
- OAS Makes Bad 'Error' in Nicaragua
- Condoleezza Rice Book Shows 'Inattention' to Latin America
- Anonymous vs. Zetas Amid Mexico's Cartel Violence
- Child Poverty and Access to Education: Hidden Costs on the Hispanic Community
- Rafael Correa Remains the Strongest Leader in Ecuador, but his Influence is Waning
- Brazil's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Panamanian Corruption Spreads to Land Holdings and Prominent Politicians
- Cuban Economic Reform Allows Private Home Sales
- Cuba's Communist Party Condemns U.S. Immigration Policy
- Submarine Near Venezuela Prompts Accusations Against United States
- Seven Billion People: So Why Do Some Fear Population Decline?
- The Broken Contract: Inequality and American Decline
- The Wisdom of Retrenchment: America Must Cut Back to Move Forward
- Colombia and Panama Trade Deals Just a Chance
- Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Wins Re-election by a Landslide
- Families of Illegal Immigrants Search for Lost Relatives in Mexico
- A Way Out of Mexico's Morass
- NAFTA Is Starving Mexico
- Redeployment of Mexican Soldiers to Urban Areas Boosting Illegal Drug Production
- Mexicans Complain About Secret U.S. Infiltration of Drug Cartels
- Cuba's Culture of Dissent
- Latin America's Blind Love With China May Be Over
- Drug War Madness
- Brazil's Really Big Problem
- Ex-Border Security Chief Calls Fence a Dumb Idea
- Argentina: Funding for a Cause
- Mexico and the United States: Surgical Strikes in the Drug Wars
- Despite Victory, Argentine Leader Faces Hard Choices
- Chilean 'Model' Is Shaken, but Very Much Alive
- Student Protests May Lead to a Better Chile
- Winds of Change: Uruguay's Sustainable Energy Plans
- The Pain in Spain
- Latin America's Security Dilemma
- A President-for-Life in Argentina? Not Likely
- There's Hope for Mexico and Central America
- Chile: The Fight to Make Education a Guaranteed Right
- Death of Layton Poses Challenge for NDP Interim Leader
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