The Constructs of Historical Institutionalism and Tax Policy Formation: The Cases of Brazil, Chile and Cuba.

Neoliberal economic and global-trade ideas became policy in many Latin American countries in the 1980's and 1990's. As State Socialism ended in Eastern Europe, even Cuba implemented policies of limited market reform. These policies sought foreign investment, and included reduction of tax-based barriers to the international movement of capital.More recently, many countries have elected leaders vowing to implement decidedly anti-neoliberal reforms. What began with Venezuela's election of Hugo Chavez also includes the Lula election in Brazil and the election of Socialist President Bachelet in staunchly pro-market Chile. Although references to justice, sovereignty and other notions may vary from country to country, the constructs of historical institutionalism appear to offer analytic value in identifying and describing economic policy adoption processes in Latin America. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]