The concept of surplus is a potentially valuable tool for the study of development dynamics. This paper presents a definition of surplus which is based on the national accounts and which, therefore, may be used in empirical studies.

Our paper addresses issues of redistribution within a political economy framework. Focusing initially on the experiences of Haiti and Jamaica, we argue that the rulers of these countries redistribute resources basically in order to improve their chances of staying in power. The methods used to...

Since the economic decline in the early 1980s, most countries in Central America and the Caribbean have returned to positive growth rates. The recovery often coincided with or followed extensive neoliberal reforms. The contributors to this book address the crucial question of whether these...