Banking and Economic Development: Brazil, 1889-1930

by G. Triner

Overview

A banking system emerged in Brazil during the early 20th century that was efficiently and productively supported by economic development. However, it also contained the seeds of its future limitations. This banking system did not equalize conditions across sectors or regions as existing theory and historiography anticipated. Deeply embedded institutional constraints limited banking's contribution to long-term development. The three most important institutional constraints were insecure property rights, continual tension between the system's public and private sector functions, and competition between the Federal State and the states. Nevertheless, the banking system was an effective tool in the consolidation of an economy of national scope during these crucial years. As a modern banking system emerged, its use in national consolidation both magnified and reflected its limitations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312233990
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	02/16/2001
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	333
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.04(d)

About the Author

GAIL D. TRINER is Assistant Professor of History at Rutgers University, specializing in Latin American Economic History.

Table of Contents

Introduction The Setting: Ushering in the Republic and the Twentieth Century State, Money, and Banking The Business of Banking Bankers, Banking and the Productive Sectors Institutional Development in Banking Regions, States and Banks

Editorial Reviews

"This important contribution to the literature of the history of Brazil in the 20th century traces the development of the country's banking sector, something of key importance in Brazil's economic development." - Choice

Triner's study is a most important and up-to-date contribution...a classic, foundational study...

-American Historical Review

From the Publisher

This book examines, through the prism of the banking system, the economic transformation of Brazil during the First Republic from 1889 to 1930. Turner, (history, Rutgers U.) shows that this period saw the development of Brazil's first modern banking system, and argues that the government, through its construction and use of the system, used the bank organization to support its own political legitimacy. She also points out how, despite predictions to the contrary, the banking system failed to equalize conditions across regions, and blames this on three main constraints: insecure property rights, tension between the bank's public and private sectors, and battles between states and the national government. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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