• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [],
  "type": "pressRelease",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "South America",
    "North America"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Economy"
  ]
}
REQUIRED IMAGE

REQUIRED IMAGE

Press Release

Latin America’s recovery requires both market and state

The global financial crisis was a result of failures in both the market and state—markets created financial turmoil and regulatory agencies failed to detect risks and correct imbalances. As Latin American countries emerge from the crisis, both the market and state are needed to ensure sustainable growth.

Link Copied
Published on Nov 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, Nov 11—The global financial crisis was a result of failures in both the market and state—markets created financial turmoil and regulatory agencies failed to detect risks and correct imbalances. As Latin American countries emerge from the crisis, both the market and state are needed to ensure sustainable growth, says a new paper by Alejandro Foxley, former foreign and finance minister of Chile.

Analyzing the successes and mistakes of economic policies over the past twenty years, Foxley makes recommendations for Latin America to achieve development that creates fewer inequalities and increases the capacity for innovation.

Recommendations

  • Establish more competitive markets: The economic crisis should not serve as an excuse to increase protectionism. Latin American economies need to move toward a greater reliance on the market and more competition in industries known for monopolies or oligopolies.
  • Restructure state institutions: To compete globally, governments need to retool economies to spur development and create new, better-quality jobs. High-quality education that creates a well-trained workforce should be a priority. 
  • Develop a welfare society: Policies should make it easier for women and other vulnerable groups to get jobs and provide equal access for all children to education.
  • Create public-private partnerships: States need to increase the involvement of the private sector in providing basic social services, including education, health, and housing.

“As they emerge from the most recent crisis, Latin American economies need both—more market and more state. More market will enable them to exploit new opportunities through bilateral or multilateral trade agreements, and expand public-private partnerships,” writes Foxley. “A more intelligent state, acting as a catalyst for development, could encourage creativity and foster entrepreneurship.”

###


NOTES

  • Click here to read the report
  • Alejandro Foxley is a senior associate in the Carnegie International Economics Program. Before joining Carnegie, Foxley was minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Chile (2006–2009). Between 1998 and 2006, he was a senator of Chile, serving as chairman of the Finance Committee and the Permanent Joint Budget Committee. Previously, he was also Chile’s minister of finance and concurrently served as a governor of the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank (1990–1994).
  •  The Carnegie International Economics Program (IEP) monitors and analyzes short- and long-term trends in the global economy, including macroeconomic developments, trade, commodities, and capital flows, and draws out policy implications. The initial focus of the Program will be the global financial crisis and the policy issues raised.
  • The International Economic Bulletin draws on the expertise of Carnegie's global centers to provide a candid view of the economic crisis and its political implications. Addressing the momentous challenges of the economic downturn will require objectivity, and the ability to analyze the political dimensions of reforms around the world.
  • Press Contact: David Kampf, 202/939-2233, dkampf@ceip.org
EconomySouth AmericaNorth America

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  • Port cranes at sunset
    Commentary
    Emissary
    The Drone Attack on Egypt and the Widening Middle East War

    The targeting of Damietta Port appears to be more than a mere security message.

      Amr Hamzawy

  • Commentary
    Sada
    The Channels of China’s Currency Promotion in Gulf Markets

    Is the Gulf moving beyond the dollar? This article examines how China is expanding the renminbi's role across Gulf markets, what that means for regional finance, and why the future of global currencies is more complex than the de-dollarization debate suggests.

      Andrew Bonney

  • Article
    Unlocking India’s Urban Dividend

    As India undergoes a demographic transition, its cities will be its economic powerhouse—but only if it accurately captures city growth and empowers cities to support their citizens.

      • Apoorva Jadhav

      Apoorva Jadhav

  • Apartment building under construction
    Commentary
    Affordability Is the Top Issue on California’s November Ballot

    Direct democracy is the political wildcard in the state’s midterm election.

      Mark Baldassare, Ian Klaus

  • This photo obtained by AFP from the Iranian news agency Tasnim shows an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) boat allegedly taking part in an operation to seize ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, on April 21, 2026.
    Paper
    The Hormuz Conflict and the Limits of Renminbi Internationalization

    Potential Strait of Hormuz transit “fees” and Iran’s renminbi use are bringing attention to Beijing’s push to become a “financial power,” particularly in energy markets. Underdeveloped aspects of China’s financial system and its dollar dependencies still constrain the renminbi’s geoeconomic significance, but recent events may spur policy shifts aimed at changing these dynamics.

      Robert Greene

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.