Two decades ago, economic integration was perceived as a promising instrument to promote economic and social development in Latin America. However, today there seems to be a general discouragement regarding these processes as a tool for the development of the countries of the region. However, pessimism appears to be premature. How to have a more balanced and objective judgment on the potential of intra-regional cooperation for the eighties and beyond, based on the rich historical experiences? In this paper, we argue that the decisions derived from the operation of the Central American integration process, probably the most successful that has occurred in Latin America, could shed some light on this issue. Despite the multiple problems that this process has faced over the years, Central Americans revealed a tenacious persistence in keeping their intraregional economic cooperation system in force.
Keywords:
Economic Integration, Latin America, Central America, Cooperation and Development, Central American Common Market
Author Biography
Gert Rosenthal, CEPAL
Ex ministro de planificación de Guatemala y actualmente director de la Oficina de CEPAL para México y América Central.
Rosenthal, G. (1984). Algunas lecciones de la integración económica en América Latina : el caso de Centroamérica. Estudios Internacionales, 17(68), p. 493–512. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-3769.1984.15842
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