Colonialism and Postcolonial Development: Spanish America in Comparative Perspective

James Mahoney

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511750328

In this comparative-historical analysis of Spanish America, Mahoney offers a new theory of colonialism and postcolonial development. He explores why certain kinds of societies are subject to certain kinds of colonialism and why these forms of colonialism give rise to countries with differing levels of economic prosperity and social well-being. Mahoney contends that differences in the extent of colonialism are best explained by the potentially evolving fit between the institutions of the colonizing nation and those of the colonized society. Moreover, he shows how institutions forged under colonialism bring countries to relative levels of development that may prove remarkably enduring in the postcolonial period. The argument is sure to stir discussion and debate, both among experts on Spanish America who believe that development is not tightly bound by the colonial past, and among scholars of colonialism who suggest that the institutional identity of the colonizing nation is of little consequence.

'Overall, Colonialism and Postcolonial Development is a major contribution to the history of Spanish America, to the study of colonialism and to the literature on institutions and development … Furthermore, Mahoney's comparative historical methodology deftly accounts for how the particular histories of each country interacted with their colonial legacies to produce patterns of development. the discussion of how exogenous factors such as war affected development in Chile, Bolivia and Costa Rica is very well done … this book is essential reading for students of comparative politics and Latin American history.'

Alex McDougall Source: Political Studies Review

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Colonialism and Postcolonial Development

Spanish America in Comparative Perspective

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-viii

Contents
pp ix-x

List of Tables, Figures, and Maps
pp xi-xii

Preface
pp xiii-xviii

1 - Explaining Levels of Colonialism and Postcolonial Development
pp 1-34

2 - Spain and Its Colonial Empire in the Americas
pp 35-49

3 - Mercantilist Colonialism
pp 50-119

4 - Liberal Colonialism
pp 120-188

5 - Warfare and Postcolonial Development
pp 189-202

6 - Postcolonial Levels of Development
pp 203-228

7 - British and Portuguese Colonialism
pp 229-252

8 - Conclusion
pp 253-270

Notes
pp 271-352

Glossary
pp 353-356

Select Bibliography of Works on Colonial Spanish America
pp 357-382

Index
pp 383-400

Titles in the Series
pp 401-405

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Colonialism and Postcolonial Development

Spanish America in Comparative Perspective

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