Synopses & Reviews
In the early decades of the nineteenth century, Buenos Aires underwent rapid economic growth. Previous studies have focused on the economy as a whole, or on a particular segment of the population; and most have disregarded how resources were intentionally organized to enable growth. This book focuses on the economic organizations that led the growth process--the estancias. Economic growth and increased freedom were not inevitable on the pampas, but rather the consequences of human actions in the search for profit. Why freedom, not privilege, prevailed is the key question underlying this study.
Review
"Samuel Amaral has written a solid book on the business of cattle raising on the pampas from the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth century." Nicholas P. Cushner, American Historical Review"...an important study..." Donna J. Guy, Agricultural History"...Samuel Amaral has given us the first detailed economic study of the ranches (estancias) of Buenas Aires province." Journal of Economics"This excellent book is no doubt a product of many years of solid research, whose main objective has been to elucidate the early development of the Argentine economy." Business History Review
Synopsis
In the early decades of the nineteenth century, Buenos Aires underwent rapid economic growth. Previous studies have focused on the economy as a whole, or on a particular segment of the population; and most have disregarded how resources were intentionally organized to enable growth. This book focuses on the economic organizations that led the growth process--the estancias. Economic growth and increased freedom were not inevitable on the pampas, but rather the consequences of human actions in the search for profit. Why freedom, not privilege, prevailed is the key question underlying this study.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. Introduction; Part I. Estancia: 2. The organization of production; 3. Capital structure, 1820 1850; 4. Model and reality; Part II. Conditions of Production: 5. Reproduction and density; 6. Environment; 7. Institutions; Part III. Human Action: 8. Labour; 9. Management and entrepreneurship; Part IV. Results: 10. Profit; 11. Prices and marketing; 12. Markets; 13. Conclusion; Appendices: A. Profit rate; B. Probate inventories; C. Prices, exchange rates, and trade statistics.