The Rise of Capitalism on the Pampas
The Rise of Capitalism on the Pampas
In the early decades of the nineteenth century, Buenos Aires underwent rapid economic growth, only dwarfed by the even greater prosperity that occurred there at the end of the century. 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 estancia - livestock firms, the economic organizations that led the growth process. The internal structure, production conditions, and economic impact of the estancia are the central issues which Amaral considers. Economic growth and increased freedom were not inevitable on the pampas, but rather the consequences of human actions, both deliberate and unintentional, in the search for an elusive profit. Why freedom, not privilege, prevailed is the key question underlying this study.
Reviews & endorsements
"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
Product details
August 2002Paperback
9780521523110
384 pages
229 × 152 × 22 mm
0.56kg
54 b/w illus. 11 maps 67 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. Introduction
- Part I. Estancia:
- 2. The organization of production
- 3. Capital structure, 1820–50
- 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.
