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With the exception of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the
Caribbean has been one of the regions of the world with the
greatest inequality. Inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean:
Breaking with History? explores why the region suffers from such
persistent inequality, identifies how it hampers development, and
suggests ways to achieve greater equity in the distribution of
wealth, incomes and opportunities. The study draws on data from 20
countries based on household surveys covering 3.6 million people,
and reviews extensive economic, sociological and political science
studies on inequality in Latin America. To address the deep
historical roots of inequality in Latin America, and the powerful
contemporary economic, political and social mechanisms that sustain
it, Inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean outlines four
broad areas for action by governments and civil society groups to
break this destructive pattern: Build more open political and
social institutions, that allow the poor and historically
subordinate groups to gain a greater share of agency, voice and
power in society. Ensure that economic institutions and policies
seek greater equity, through sound macroeconomic management and
equitable, efficient crisis resolution institutions, that avoid the
large regressive redistributions that occur during crises, and that
allow for saving in good times to enhance access by the poor to
social safety nets in bad times. Increase access by the poor to
high-quality public services, especially education, health, water
and electricity, as well as access to farmland and the rural
services. Protect and enforce the property rights of the urban
poor. Reform income transfer programs so that they reach the
poorest families.
The fundamental elements to unlocking the potential of technology
to speed up economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean
(LAC) are investing in education, opening up new technologies
through foreign trade and investment, and encouraging private
sector research and development. 'Closing the Gap in Education and
Technology' advises Latin American and Caribbean governments to
address the region's deficits in skills and technology, and thereby
boost productivity, ultimately improving growth prospects. To close
this 'productivity gap' in the region, the report calls for a range
of policy approaches and strategies, depending on a country's level
of development. It identifies three progressive stages in a
country's technological evolution -- adoption, adaptation, and
creation -- and observes that policies should be designed to
address the particular challenges that accompany each stage. In
conclusion, 'Closing the Gap in Education and Technology' argues
that many countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region have
been improving education and social risk management systems so that
they are now ready to benefit from the rewards associated with
creating stronger trade and technology ties with countries that are
more technologically advanced.
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